Education Draft

Aly Jensen

English 101

Instructor: Sonia Berger

Formal paper #1 Education

            One learning challenge I have had in my life is an IEP, which means I have a Personal Education Plan, I have known that I have had an IEP since fifth grade. It means I have a contract with the school that gives me the help I may need with any class that I may take. This help may include going out during test, have directions read to me etc. Although, the name really does not explain what an IEP is, I found out. An IEP really means that I have a learning disability. I hate putting it that way because it makes it sound like that person has a limitation on what they can become. Nevertheless, for me that is not the case.

One challenge I have with my IEP, is it takes me longer to do work in class. Often times, I have to reread instructions multiple times, to understand what they are telling me to do. Even just with simple words I can miss read them. One word can mess up the whole meaning of the sentence. This is very frustrating. Sometimes I will ask a friend for help with the instructions, I will read the instructions to them aloud, and sometimes they will laugh because I will replace a simple word with something else or they will look at me as if I am stupid. Yes, it can hurt my feeling but I also know that they have no idea what it is like to have to struggle everyday with simple things like instructions. I don’t get angry at them because I know it’s not their fault they don’t understand.

Another challenge I have to face with my IEP is occasionally have to demand teachers help or attention. Most teachers are very willing to help me and are VERY patient with me. Nevertheless, there are those few teachers that get super frustrated when they have to explain a problem to me multiple times. For example, I have a math class currently and I don’t understand the teacher often times because he doesn’t write things down every time on the board. He will explain them verbally and very quickly. Most students in that class will understand him, but I am a visual person especially when it comes to math. So, if he says it aloud. I have to ask him to write it down. Then he will say, “Well you can write it down.” I think to myself not really, because you are talking so stinking fast I can’t even process what you are saying! This can be very frustrating and hard for teachers to be patient with me. They might even have change their teaching style to help me understand what they are trying to convey to me. However, this “teacher problem” can be a pain and make school harder. I have learned that I’m still the student and the teacher is supposed to teach me and help me learn. So, if I have to demand there help or deal with their frustration. I will because I truly want to learn, I love to learn.

When I tell people I have an IEP, I normally get two very different responses. The first one, if I tell someone I have just meet or haven’t known for very long about it, they might look at me like I’m odd. As if, I have three eyes. Which I find somewhat funny how people react because it’s not like I have a diseases or anything. It is not contagious. On the other hand, they will automatically start talking slower or start dumbing things down for me. Sometimes I will tell them, “You know, I just have a hard time learning, I’m NOT dumb.” Most of the time I don’t tell someone I have it unless I have known them for a while or truth them, and that is why.

I often times get the opposite approach. People that have known me for a long time are super surprised. They will say, “I would have never guessed unless you told me,” Or “really you don’t seem like you would have a learning disability.” I obviously like those responses better. I just let them know that I really have to work hard for my grades like the majority of other students. However, some things that might come a little easier for some people are so much harder for me.

Although I have an IEP it has taught me so much. I have learned to be determined. I am honestly determined to prove people wrong. I want to prove that no matter what hard experiences you have been given in your life or what challenges you might go through. You can overcome them, with hard work and determination.

I have accomplished so much in my life thus far and I hope to continue to succeed. Last year my junior year, I maintained a 4.0 during the course of the whole year. I had to work extremely hard. I sometimes had to go to after school tutoring. I had to retake tests at times. I would ask my teachers almost daily if I was on top of my homework. During all of this I was holding down a job.

Throughout high school I have receive quite a few rewards for determination in class. I got two last year for maintaining a 4.0. Currently I am rated in the top 10% out of my senior class. When you have an IEP, every four years or so you meet with your school counselor and your parents to discuss your academic progress, when I had my meeting with the vice principle and everyone they said they were so impressed with my grades and hard work. They were so glad I was doing my best even though I have an IEP. My teachers have often told me that they are also so impressed of how I use my time and how I work so affectively.

I do not tell people these things to brag, I honestly tell people these things to show that if you really put your mind to something you can and will accomplish it. Yes, I am proud of myself. However, I think it is a great thing to be proud of yourself if you know that you have set your mind on a goal and have accomplished it.

Even though yes, I do have a learning disability and yes all those challenges I do face almost daily. I have learned so much because of it. I have learned to be determined, you can accomplish what you put your mind to, and once you accomplish those things to be proud of yourself for it. I know that while I live out the rest of my life, it will be challenging and it will be a struggle every day, but no matter what happens you really cannot give up. You have to keep working for your goals because they are not going to just fall in your lap. Know that you can also prove to yourself and others that you can do it. That you really can accomplish anything you put your mind to. All these things are the reason why my Personal Education Plan has been so significant in my life. It has taught me so much and it is so worth it. It has been so worth going through the struggles and the fights daily!