Stories of Us - October 29, 2021

Stories of Us - October 29, 2021
Posted on 10/29/2021
Partnership Educators,
Dan's mother constantly wondered what her son's inner life was like.  What was he thinking about while he stared out at the world?   Dan was born with autism and didn't have a way to communicate with the world around him and so those that loved him wondered.   Dan would often make meaningless noises and wave his arms which further confused those with him.  His parents did all of the natural things with Dan.  They read him children's books, took him to museums, and nurtured his growth by exposing him to the world and people.   Dan's mother, Meredith, was an artist and so she often took him to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.   From a very young age, Dan was exposed to this world but Meredith didn't know how profound it was affecting him until years later.
When Dan was twelve he had a teacher who taught him how to answer questions using a pencil and a cutout board of letters. Suddenly, Dan's life changed forever.  He still couldn't talk, but finally, he could communicate his thoughts to those around him.  As he puts it, "It didn't cure me" because he still made noises and waved his arms but now he could communicate his thoughts.  
Dan was labeled as intellectually disabled for most of his childhood.  He struggles with a form of autism that limits his ability to speak.  Because of this, at a very young age, he was seen as different and not capable.  Was it not for a teacher who took it upon herself to look for ways for Dan to communicate, Dan Bergmann wouldn't have been the Harvard Extension School, 2021 Commencement speaker.   I am attaching three items.  Dan's Inspirational Commencement Speech, Dan's Metropolitan of Art Story episode 6, and the CBS Sunday Morning Opinion piece done by Dan.  I encourage you to watch each of them as they are all amazing.
Reaching creative heights for each one of our wards is the most difficult thing we do in public education.  We choose to make a difference in the lives of all of the students we serve.  That is what makes our jobs difficult but at the same time so magnificently rewarding.  Listening to our school staff think about the students they serve and come to new ideas for how to help a child that is failing is remarkable to watch and be a part of.  As Dan Bergmann says, "Because I was making language and not just hearing it, my mind began to wake up."  Thanks for constantly looking for ways to help your students find the one way, after many failures, to help their "mind" to "wake up."   Giving the gift of learning is a gift for a lifetime.

Daniel Bergmann | Breakthrough | Met Stories Ep 6:https://youtu.be/Ce7PWVaJ0xQ

Dan Bergmann on his autism, and a breakthrough lesson: https://youtu.be/g2zA4yslXqc

Have a great weekend,
Rob
Website by SchoolMessenger Presence. © 2024 SchoolMessenger Corporation. All rights reserved.