Newsgroups: bit.listserv.deaf-l
Date:         Mon, 31 Aug 1992 19:42:20 EDT
From:         "Cathy Brandt" <CBRAN00@UKCC.UKY.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Delivery Problem
X-To:         DEAF LIST <DEAF-L%SIUCVMB.BITNET@uga.cc.uga.edu>
              30 Aug 1992 07:17:07 GMT from <11telliott@GALLUA.GALLAUDET.EDU>

Dear one and all,

Well, certainly didn't expect for this to grow as it has.  Appreciate so much
all of the kind words on my behalf.  Those "golden apples" make a teacher's
day!  Many of you seem to be able to read my thoughts and words better than
others.  Soooooo, an attempt for those follows:

The next part is in response to one of Todd's responses to me:

>Impaired_, but rather simply, _Teacher of Young Children_.That is because ythe

Well, Todd, I have in fact for most purposes dropped the label of hearing
impaired *within* my school.  Most everyone knows that I teach one of the four
classes of  children with a hearing impairment.  If others ask I consider my
audience, make an assumption of their understanding level and choose a term
which I think will help them understand what I do.  I take great pride in the
fact that I teach children who do not hear like others hear.  I don't want to
just say I teach young children.  This isn't totally descriptive of what I do.
I am proud, not ashamed, that I work with these kids and am always glad to
share that with others.

>Miss Brandt, you still haven't answered my question:
>How do you feel about educating those deaf kids, (I know, you generalized there
>earlier.) and how did you decide that the hearing-impaired approach was the one
>you would use in applying your education plan for those kids under your
>tutelage? I am saying that it (terminology) is wrong, but I just wanted to know

Frankly, Todd, I don't know what you are asking me.  I would be more than happy
to give you my plilosogy of education - deaf, hearing impaired, hearing etc.
I can't be too specific without you asking me a *specific* question.  But, I
will make an attempt.  I believe that teaching school means teaching children
how to be life long learners and how to succeed in life.  I often say I *don't*
teach school - I teach life.  I could care less if they succeed in school if
they are unable to succeed in life.   Is your question why do I use the term
hearing impaired?  Well, I'll assume it is.  It is because that is the term
used within my environment that those with whom I work will understand.  Each
one of my children have some hearing.  Four children in our school have
cochlear implants (gasp,  go ahead I'm ready.  learning to be tough here!)
If kids need glasses to see better I believe they should wear glasses.  I
believe in being proud of who you are as you are.  But, I also believe in
taking advantage of any and every opportunity one has in order to gain more
information.  Hearing aids, cochlear implants (in some cases) can provide
assistance.  My personal philosophy is that I will try and provide every oppor
tunity I can for my kids to develop all areas of their abilities.  As teens or
as adults they may choose *not* to wear their aids, or to *not* use their
speech, or to *not* bother with lipreading.  *AT THAT POINT* it will be *THEIR*
choice what methods and avenues to pursue and continue.  But, I did not make
that choice for them in elementary school by depriving them of the opportunity
to gain experience and learn.  If I don't teach speech, lipreading etc now and
at age 18 or 21 they decide they would like to utilize those skills it will be
very difficult or more difficult to learn than when they were younger.  I would
rather them gain experience and understanding in those areas and then later
choose not to use them than to regret never having had the opportunity to work
with those skills.

Todd, I realize you may disagree.  That is the beauty of America.  We are free
to disagree.  But, you can *NOT* impose your beliefs on another individual.
The deaf culture can *NOT* impose its beliefs on an individual.  One must enter
anything because it is a personal choice.  I know there are those out there who
vehemently disagree.  This is MY HUMBLE OPINION.  Not saying it is right.  You
ask me what I believe and I am sharing it with you.  I want my students to love
me because they *choose* to do so.  I want to be involved in activities because
it is my *choice*  We can not *force* beliefs, labels, culture on *ANYONE*
Why can't an individual make a choice as to what he wants and be respected for
being an individual - whether that is inside a group or outside.  It goes back
to conformity vs diversity and which we value in this society.
(Yes, I'm aware they did not choose to be deaf.  But it *IS* thier choice *HOW*
they deal with it and how they live their life.)

>Now, my personal opinion: I believe that mainstreaming is wrong, and the deaf
>institutions are somewhat an imperfect solution to the problem of educating
>today and tomorrow's deaf generations. (Why imperfect? As Miss Brandt pointed

Well, obviously, being in a public school I disagree.  In fact this year I have
begun to teach the fifth grade math class in our school.  I take three of my
deaf students with me and sign the entire time I teach to the whole class of 24
children.  I've only begun.  So far so good.  My deaf kids participate as much
as the hearing kids!  (and correctly)  By the way this means that these kids
are functioning on grade level.  That doesn't happen in too many places.  In
fact just had the opportunity to look at some records of high school kids from
a residential school.  Out of about 7 high schoolers *none* were on more than
a fourth grade math level.  May be *lots* of reasons for that.  *DO NOT*
misunderstand, I know that is not necessarily the *norm* for residential school
But, it is often the case that a majority of the kids will be way behind.  Just
ask Gallaudet about the kids coming into the freshman class.

As to your idea about area schools - Sorry, Todd, it is just not possible with
the small numbers that exists in the deaf/hearing impaired population.  I
could go into *another* long explanation here.  Someone else already pointed
out many of the obstacles.

I've answered to the best of my ability for now.  If you have further questions
I'd be more than happy to address them.  I have some for you.  Please fill in
the blank.  "Mainstreaming is bad because ______________."   I am in that
setting.  If there are things you believe my children are missing - I want to
know.  There may be ways for me to include that in my class.

>the personal attayck part, and not on the subject matter I wanted to have a
>productive and informative discussion on. I was hoping for Miss. Brandt to
>respond personall, and explain it to her, but I did never get her response.

Well, here is my response.  I do hope that you get it this time.  Must remember
being a teacher takes up a lot of time.  I won't even tell you what time I've
left school each night this past week.  So, often I can't respond as quickly as
some may like.  It just isn't top on my priority list.  Hope you understand.

Cathy Brandt
Teacher of children who amazingly keep their eyes glued to me all day long!
cbran00@ukcc.uky.edu
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU