A Special Kind of Education by Darian

A Special Kind of Education by Darian - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

If the roles were reserved and I had to to teach an academic subject, I would choose to teach Special Education. Most people would not look at Special Education as an academic subject. It isn't considered a "common core" class, nor does it have a set of standard each student must learn. Special Education is one of the most important subjects today. It's math, science, english, and history all shaped into one class. I would love to teach this course because kids with special needs have some of the most amazing hearts and minds.
I've always been able to communicate and related to kids with special needs very well. My brother Quinn has special needs. He was diagnosed with SOTOS syndrome when he was a little over a year old. SOTOS syndrome is a disability that affects learning and motor skills. Quinn catches onto things a little slower than everybody else. Quinn isn’t defined by his disability though. Quinn has many attributes about him that most people would never find out about because they can’t look past his disability. Quinn has a great sense of humor and the biggest heart of anyone I know. Growing up with a sibling with special needs has helped me be able to understand and communicate with people with special needs a lot better.
Kids with special needs have some of the greatest minds. Some even have great talents like music or baking. If I became a special education teacher, I would help every single one of those kids find their special talent. Everyone has something great to share with this world, even kids with special needs. My goal is to not only help them with their school work, but also help them see their worth. I want to let them know they are more than their disability. These kids can impact the world greatly with their ideas and talents.
My goal as a special education teacher would not only be to help my kids see their worth, but help other people see it too. Many people get uncomfortable around kids with special needs. They don’t know how to talk to them, so they don’t talk to them at all. They can miss out on some really amazing people if they do this. I want to help people become more comfortable around them. When they do become comfortable around them, they will be able to see them for who they really are. They could find that the boy in the wheelchair has a great sense of humor. Maybe they could find that the girl who hardly speaks has the kindest heart. I want people look past the disability. If I can accomplish this in my lifetime, I would consider myself successful.