SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

Accepting My Stutter Made Me a Better Teacher

Advertisement

By Adam Black

The world can be an intimidating place to live for people who stutter, and can often leave them feeling isolated and alone. Stuttering is a hidden disability that affects 3 percent of adults and up to 9 percent of children. With numbers like these it is likely most teachers will at some point encounter a student with this speech impediment in their classroom.

Renowned speech pathologist Joseph Sheehan talks about stuttering as an iceberg. Only 10 percent of the behaviours associated with stuttering are visible (blocking, freezing, sound repetitions) and the other 90 percent lie beneath the surface (shame, embarrassment, lack of confidence, sadness). The invisible symptoms often present the greatest challenges for people who stutter.

I have stuttered for as long as my parents can remember, but it wasn’t until I was around 9 years old and reading aloud in class that I really noticed. I just couldn’t get the words out and if I did they sounded completely different from what other students in the class were saying.

Years of conventional therapy made little impact on my progress and I still stuttered quite noticeably. I really hated my stutter. I would avoid speaking at all costs, change words, and even avoid saying certain sounds. I never spoke out in class and didn’t enjoy meeting new people.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Adam Black is a principal teacher of additional support needs at a busy high school in Glasgow, Scotland. He is also a person who stutters and uses his hidden disability to publicize to his students that differences are what make us special.

Education News

The Secret to Thriving Schools? Parents Who Feel Safe and Heard

To create a culture of safety and help parents feel confident sending their children to school, school leaders must communicate with families about the safety measures that are in place.

New Book from NYC Science Teacher Strives to Reimagine Education in Urban Classrooms

In "Learning Environment," award-winning New York City science teacher Dr. Fox transforms traditional instruction into immersive, justice-driven learning.

Turning Pages, Turning Up: Tackling Absenteeism Through Reading Culture

Across the nation, educators are facing a growing crisis of chronic absenteeism. And while interventions often focus on remediation or outreach, one Title I school in Kentucky tried a different solution: running school-wide reading challenges.

Clothing Insecurity: A Hidden Barrier to Student Success

As kids prepare to step through the school doors and start another year, I’m particularly mindful of the 20 million children in the U.S. experiencing clothing insecurity.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Adam Black
Adam Black
Adam Black is a principal teacher of additional support needs at a busy high school in Glasgow, Scotland. He is also a person who stutters and uses his hidden disability to publicize to his students that differences are what make us special.

Advertisement

Read More

The Secret to Thriving Schools? Parents Who Feel Safe and Heard

To create a culture of safety and help parents feel confident sending their children to school, school leaders must communicate with families about the safety measures that are in place.

New Book from NYC Science Teacher Strives to Reimagine Education in Urban Classrooms

In "Learning Environment," award-winning New York City science teacher Dr. Fox transforms traditional instruction into immersive, justice-driven learning.

Back-to-School Must-Haves: Transform Your Classroom with These Indispensable Items

With the right tools and products at your side, you can turn the chaotic transition from summer break back to school into a smooth ride.

The Secret to a Quiet Lunch Break: Building Student Relationships

The trick to not using all your personal days during the first month of school is to focus on stopping bad behavior before it starts, instead of punishing students after the fact.

Turning Pages, Turning Up: Tackling Absenteeism Through Reading Culture

Across the nation, educators are facing a growing crisis of chronic absenteeism. And while interventions often focus on remediation or outreach, one Title I school in Kentucky tried a different solution: running school-wide reading challenges.

Clothing Insecurity: A Hidden Barrier to Student Success

As kids prepare to step through the school doors and start another year, I’m particularly mindful of the 20 million children in the U.S. experiencing clothing insecurity.
diamond casino | winland casino | casino colonial | montecarlo casino | casino condesa real | como apostar en la ruleta para ganar | strendus casino en linea | casinos in san diego ca | spin casino online | slot bet | feet finger pagina para ganar dinero | 777 casino bono sin deposito | dealer casino | casinos bonos bienvenida gratis sin depósito en méxico 2021 | casino porn | casino paradise | app casino dinero real | ruleta para rifa online | casino play city | caliente slots | canada live casino online | joy casino tepic | ruleta gratis republica dominicana | blackjack online 888 | calientemx sport | excalibur hotel and casino | calientecasimo apuestas | betway sports | club casino bellavista | twin lions casino | casino presidencial | paddy power casino | arne slot | leon vs america en liguillas | 888 casino | caesar slots casino gratis | ganar dinero en internet es verdad o mentira | bestes mobile casino online | winpot pachuca | casino winpot puebla | ruleta gigante en power point | maya palace casino | slot jackpot | horarios pullman casino de la selva | en caliente mx | casino zamora | juegos de casino gratis en linea | un rezo la ruleta letra | casino prestige | casino caliente slots | tragaperrasgratis con bonus gratis | ruleta jugadas prohibidas | outfit casino hombre | casino condesa real | spinbet casino |