When I was a kid I dreamt almost daily that when I grew up I would become a tractor. Or a cat, or Ariel, or a mad scientist, or whatever hilariously stupid occupation I had seen on television that afternoon... When I was four I decided that I'd give teaching a go, I mean growing up in a family where your dad and brother have severe learning difficulties (now learning impairments) and being completely void of any academic struggles yourself, it becomes very easy to learn how to teach dyslexics, or those with SSS as my brother had.
My mum used to volunteer in a local dyslexia association in which parents of dyslexic children would get together over coffee and cake to update each other on their kids progress and the way in which the school was aiding them in bettering their schooling capabilities. I was dragged along every week - to my dismay - and had to sit in the corner playing with all the younger siblings and pretending I fit in with them all. I was one of a small handful of kids there who could read fully well and was labelled by my school as 'an advanced reader' who was discouraged from reading the school's starter books (i.e. The Magic Key) and was told to bring in my own literature to read in school. As my reading skills were so much more advanced than my brother and his friends I didn't get along with them very well, they accused me of showing off and trying to upset them when I read without hesitance and with clear enjoyment.
At first this put me off reading, I thought to be able to read well and enjoy it was a bad thing and that I was a bad person for being more able in this sense than my brother. Then mum came along, she told me a few tips to help the other kids out with their schooling and once I tried and tested them with resounding success I began paying more and more attention to the parents discussions. I learned more about teaching SEN students and began putting those newly aquired skills into motion with my brother. Success was imminent! I realized that I was enjoying helping him out and it made me learn more than I already knew though watching the learning process in someone else. This pushed me towards the aspect of teaching and from the age of four to my current twenty-two, I have pursued the pathway leading me towards a career in teaching.
After gaining my degree I plan to get my secondary PGCE and become an English teacher specializing in SEN students. Hopefully my teaching will be better than I had when at school, and my curriculum won't be so revolved around Shakespeare. But we'll see when we get there.
Thanks for reading,
nicholaannexx
