Colleen McBradyColleen McBrady is a freshman majoring in Special Education who grew up in Frankfort, Illinois. She is hoping to work with students in high school with disabilities in a life-skill classroom setting after graduation. She has always been very passionate about Special Education and helping others, and is very excited to continue her education at the University of Illinois.
|
Student Voices with Colleen McBrady
On Her Views on the American Education System
There are countless problems in the education system today, however if I got the chance to change a few I would want all children to receive an equal education; I would want teacher’s salaries to be raised; and I would want less testing and more active learning.
Compared to the education I received, the children at the Boys and Girls Club are definitely not given as much attention. A girl I worked with yesterday, “Anna”, is in the 5th grade reading at a 1st grade level. She gets all of her letters mixed up and has a very hard time reading. I came to the realization she might be dyslexic about halfway through our tutoring session, and when I asked Ms. Elizabeth she said she thought that as well. However, “Anna” was not diagnosed with dyslexia or any other learning disability. At my school, the children who had dyslexia or a learning disability were always taken to the back table with a specialist during reading time for extra help. “Anna” hasn’t even been diagnosed yet, let alone assisted. Knowing these issues in my placement makes me feel sad because I really wish “Anna” had the opportunity to experience an education where she feels like she can thrive and overcome.
After hearing of all of the challenges teachers face on a daily basis I was discouraged about becoming a teacher. However I have also heard of all the reasons why they would never choose any other profession. Aside from all of the problems that teachers face, becoming a Special Education teacher is completely worth it. From a high school experience, assistant teaching an adaptive foods class, I saw what one teacher described in the video as "that spark" in the students, and that is when I realized this is what will make it all worth it.
It was very eye-opening for me when I found out the fact that 14% of adults cannot read. I use to think it was impossible to get through school without really knowing how to read, but after tutoring “Anna” I realized in some schools the teachers let the children pass by through the cracks. This was shocking to me because I viewed reading like riding a bike, everybody learns how to do it and once you learn you never forget. However now I realize you need to have the money to buy the bike and people who care enough to teach you how to ride it.
Compared to the education I received, the children at the Boys and Girls Club are definitely not given as much attention. A girl I worked with yesterday, “Anna”, is in the 5th grade reading at a 1st grade level. She gets all of her letters mixed up and has a very hard time reading. I came to the realization she might be dyslexic about halfway through our tutoring session, and when I asked Ms. Elizabeth she said she thought that as well. However, “Anna” was not diagnosed with dyslexia or any other learning disability. At my school, the children who had dyslexia or a learning disability were always taken to the back table with a specialist during reading time for extra help. “Anna” hasn’t even been diagnosed yet, let alone assisted. Knowing these issues in my placement makes me feel sad because I really wish “Anna” had the opportunity to experience an education where she feels like she can thrive and overcome.
After hearing of all of the challenges teachers face on a daily basis I was discouraged about becoming a teacher. However I have also heard of all the reasons why they would never choose any other profession. Aside from all of the problems that teachers face, becoming a Special Education teacher is completely worth it. From a high school experience, assistant teaching an adaptive foods class, I saw what one teacher described in the video as "that spark" in the students, and that is when I realized this is what will make it all worth it.
It was very eye-opening for me when I found out the fact that 14% of adults cannot read. I use to think it was impossible to get through school without really knowing how to read, but after tutoring “Anna” I realized in some schools the teachers let the children pass by through the cracks. This was shocking to me because I viewed reading like riding a bike, everybody learns how to do it and once you learn you never forget. However now I realize you need to have the money to buy the bike and people who care enough to teach you how to ride it.