New Mexico Teacher Proud of Students

New Mexico Teacher Proud of Students

Future Reflections Fall 1989, Vol. 8 No. 3
(back) (contents) (next)
NEW MEXICO TEACHER PROUD
OF STUDENTS
Editor's Note: The following letter arrived in my
office this spring. Although the overall picture of
education of blind children is dismal indeed, there
are some bright spots. Ms. Swiech 's letter reminds
us that there are still teachers of blind children who
go about their jobs with skill, enthusiasm, pride,
and most of all, a rock-solid belief in the abilities
of the blind. We can take heart from their example.
April 20,1989
Dear Barbara,
My name is Gail Swiech, and I teach a class of
blind children in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I
have been a member of the National Federation
of the Blind for ten years (my aunt is Karen
Mayry, South Dakota NFB President) and a
member of the Parents of Blind Children
Division of the NFB since we started in Albuquerque
three years ago.
I really enjoy reading the Braille Monitor and Future Reflections when I receive them. It still appals
me that our students still are not getting a
decent education in many parts of the country. I
get so angry (and I know you do too) when I hear
how the professionals (and I use that word loosely)
treat children and parents. I am proud of the
fact that all legally blind students here have the
opportunity to learn Braille and cane travel; both
by certified people who have the same beliefs and
attitudes about blindness as the members of the
NFB!
The academic progress and the growth in independence
I have seen in my students has been
very satisfying. As the school year winds down to
a close, I would like to share with you and the
readers of Future Reflections some of our neat
successes and activities.
1. Last summer, during Braille home training, Louise, who was just learning Braille, sat down at
her kitchen table. Someone had spilled a little
salt on the table and, as she was exploring the
table, she felt a grain of salt under her finger tip.
She got very excited and exclaimed "Look, Mom.
Here's an A!" Today Louise is reading simple
stories using the Patterns Braille reading series.
2. Jessica is one of my second graders. She is mainstreamed into a third grade class for all of
her academics. One of the stories she wrote for
her English class impressed me with the
creativity. I submitted it (on the sly) in a citywide
competition called "Spotlight on Young Writers" sponsored by Albuquerque Public Schools
the Albuquerque Journal. [Note: The story
reprinted in the KIDS KORNER section of l
issue.] I was told that more than 200 entries received; Jessica was the only winner from
school!
3. Four of my students entered the Bra Readers are Leaders contest. Anywhere frc
250 to over 4,000 pages were read by the childrc
The contest served its purpose; two kids who i
not like reading were taking books home
reading! I really noticed an improvement in t
reading skills after the contest. We are m
anxiously waiting for the results.
4. Our whole class is involved in a school-wide talent show called the Zia Follies. We are singing
two songs from Cinderella; Jessica is doing a
solo, "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes,"
and Jennifer is singing the introduction to "Bibbidy-BobbidyBoo"with
the rest of the class coming
in for the chorus. We had to practice and audition,
and now we're ready to perform.
These are just a few highlights from our
program. I think it's important that our children
are involved and competing with other children.
I'm ending my fifth year as a teacher, and it has
not been easy at times. When I get frustrated I
only have to think about all of the wonderful
things that have happened. I feel sorry for those
"professionals" who have such a hard time understanding
our blind children. They don't know
what teaching is all about. It's giving children the
tools needed to succeed then sitting back and
watching them grow.
I appreciate you letting me brag a little about
my kids. I'm proud of them and cannot really imagine
doing anything else. Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Gail Swiech
(back) (contents) (next)