One Child Book Report Essay Example

few years ago, leading her to believe that she was not deserving and causing her to behave disruptively in school. Rather than attempting the problems, she spent weeks tearing up her math worksheets due to a fear of failure. Similarly, her father had emotional issues and resorted to physical punishment in an attempt to correct Sheila's stubbornness. The presence of emotional challenges can impede intellectual progress. Torey prioritized addressing the emotional problems first, which allowed Sheila to become more successful in her academic pursuits.

Reading this book has deeply influenced my approach to interacting with children who have disabilities and their families. At present, I am an art teacher at a Middle School that caters to students from 6th to 8th grade, including those who possess special abilities like giftedness. Through my cooperating teacher, I have gained valuable insights into crafting personalized lessons. However, Torey Hayden's work has enlightened me on the fact that merely modifying or adjusting lessons for our exceptional students is not enough.

In the classroom, it is important to view every student holistically by acknowledging their strengths and weaknesses. The book has empowered me to engage with Mark*, who has downs syndrome, and Alicia, who faces cognitive impairment and hearing difficulties. I have strived to comprehend the unique backgrounds of all my students, including those with exceptionalities. Going forward, I will persist in recognizing each student as a distinct individual and invest time in developing connections with them and their families before forming any judgments.

In good teaching, I learned the significance of research and reflection. Torey Hayden demonstrated this through her unconventional methods in the classroom, such

as disregarding professional attire and encouraging discussions on sensitive topics like sexual abuse. It is unrealistic to expect educators to be perfect and have all-encompassing knowledge about teaching. Undoubtedly, we will continue to progress and create more efficient teaching strategies in the future.

When venturing into new territory, it is important to consider the negative consequences. Despite the positive impact Torey had on Sheila, she developed a strong attachment and began imagining Torey as her mother. However, this could be harmful in the long term for a child. Therefore, I have learned that while it is crucial to explore innovative teaching methods, it should be done with caution and a deep understanding. None of us, including our students, are perfect. Nevertheless, through thorough research and reflection, we can make a significant difference in our students' lives.