on disabilities

[chaela_may]

i was in english class, participating and paying attention and everything, while playing free cell on my laptop computer. it is a fairly simple way of keeping my attention; with discipline, i can easily streamline my notice by making sure that what i need to pay attention to (class presentation) and what i am distracted by (computer game) are

Comments

[anonymous]

Re: Morning Mikki is cranky...

[chaela_may]

i wish she hadn't been so accusatory and i wish that she had told those students that.

there isn't anywhere *vacant* in class where my screen won't distract others, and where there is an outlet.

*hugs back*

[reivanryles]

I feel for you, I really do.

My outlet was drawing, though, which was apparently SO INCREDIBLY DISTRACTING that I would get yelled at for "not paying attention" or "distracting others" when I would make all A's and I would help out those around me. I also shunned all discussion about what I was drawing. Needless to say, my rebellious nature let me to just do it anyways and show them that they could get over it. :] Dunno if that's your style, though.

RR

[chaela_may]

no, that's not my style. although i don't feel embarrassment in these situations, i do want to accommodate others because i do know what it is like to be distracted and unable to concentrate. i know what it is like to lose valuable material when this happens in class and then struggle to catch up. although i am not convinced that others *are* distracted, i'd rather go out of my way to be on the safe side, simply out of pity.

my suspicion is that these activities are *not* distracting to others; someone with add can speak with some authority on the matter. again, this doesn't mean i want to take chances.

i'm also a straight a student if i'm not dealing with deaths in the family. in either case, i am generally so confident with the material that i end up leading group discussions and other students come to me for help, and my help is generally valuable. clearly, i'm doing something right.

[eponaschild]

Any update on this?

[chaela_may]

yeah, a constant stream of emails.

long story short, administration was notified of the situation by the teacher, and said officials have supported her, and told me that she was right, only insinuating that i'm wrong. the point really is moot. i'm a strong enough student that i can make a good grade without help from them; this just makes it harder for me, and guarantees that i *hate* the class. this is a shame, because i generally enjoy the subject, and was looking forward to it at the beginning of the year.

[eponaschild]

My mom heard about the situation and asked me what was going on. I went ahead and told her because I know she won't share anything I say with the school.

She told me that *several* students have complained about that teacher this year and it's drawn the attention of people that know the teacher (like mom) because up until now all her student have loved her. Apparently, the teacher is dealing with (I can't remember for sure now) either malignant cancer or a death in her close family or something serious like that and it is obviously affecting her job. She was encouraged to take the whole year off and turned it down.

For what it's worth, after giving mom your side, she totally agreed with you. She can't do anything about it but she agrees with you. She and several of her coworkers wish the teacher had taken the year off.

[chaela_may]

i had no idea. i already gave her the benefit of the doubt, but now i really feel sorry for her.

thank your mom for me. all our classes from the last two weeks and at least the next three are on an elementary school campus, so i won't see her.