Early in my schooling, I was told that I had a learning disability. Although I could read and hold a conversation beyond what was expected of someone of my age, I was considered illiterate because of my poor handwriting and my frequent reversing of letters and numbers.
Adults in authority labeled me dyslexic. With this label they knew what to do with me, and I was placed into programs that they knew would help me with my ‘disability.’ They did not help. I was in these programs for six years. I was frequently tested, pulled out of regular classes and worked with in ways that I knew were not helping but I could not change.
I hated being singled out, I hated being told I was somehow inadequate. It frustrated me to no end that I was not able to make anyone understand that I comprehended the material and could do the work the other kids did, if spelling and handwriting were not graded. I did not have and advocate in school and I was miserable.
When I finally got my hands on a computer with spell check and was allowed to type my work, I went from the special ed program to honors and advanced placement classes. Half of my primary education was a waste or worse. It is my mission to make sure that young people are respected and listened to, this is one big reason I do what I do.
I was lucky enough, in these six wasted years, to have the opportunity to experience, outside of school, learning in a way that made me want to dive into subjects. I gained skills and knowledge in a way that did not feel like work. I realized that when I was able to choose subjects, methods and experiences, learning was fun and easy. Fortunately for me, this became a habit and I have become a lifelong autodidact.
I want you to have control of your life, what you learn and how, so you can develop habits that will serve you well and help you be happy and successful however you choose to be.
This is why I do, what I do, the way that I do.