TRANSCRIPT:
(Quote by Albert Einstein:
THE IMPORTANT THING IS NOT TO STOP QUESTIONING, CURIOSITY HAS ITS OWN REASONS FOR EXISTING.
The word curiosity is in yellow and very big, there is a picture with a purple background, the picture is showing some students one in the middle who has pigtails (seems to at least present as a girl) is raising hir hand apparently painfully, trying to get attention that doesn’t seems to be received)
ALBERT EINSTEIN: The important thing
Credit: Gavin Aung Than
I look at this and cry a little.
As a young student with disabilities (unknown to me, but you always know when you’re different), I have always had trouble initiating social contact, especially in school. I remember quite clearly being taught not to ask questions by a teacher. As a young student who rarely raised her hand to either volunteer information, answer questions, or ask questions, this had a profound effect on me, even to this day. The few times I was curious, or tried to answer questions, I was practically humiliated in front of the class and even sent to stand in the hall. I didn’t know what I had done wrong, other than raise my hand and speak.
Since Grade 4, I refused to answer teacher’s questions, raise my hand or participate in class. If I did, it was a huge feat for me, and only happened when I was absolutely sure of the answer, mainly in Grade 12. It probably affected my ability to ask for help and my willingness to request and use accommodation, meaning my grades probably suffered.
I’m turning 27 in a little over a week; I’m still dealing with this. It’s a bit easier, now that my classes are online. But how I wish that never happened to me, that throughout my academic career I could have been the girl in the picture, eager to openly ask questions and learn. I don’t think that teacher meant to hurt me like she did, but the fact remains that she did, and I’m living with the result.
I’m so sorry this happened to you.
