[nabs-l] problems with a TVI

Thu Mar 27 03:25:51 UTC 2014

Hi Lillie,

It seems like you’ve got a couple different issue here.  Firstly, you have the issue of your TVI not trusting you.  I know this will sound harsh, but it is often true—if he is a new teacher, he is probably just exploring what he can and cannot do.  Also, you made a point of stating that you were his most high-functioning student.  He is used to having to check up on his other students because they, not being as high-functioning as you, may not do what is expected of them.  It is also possible that he has been lied to by a number of his other students, simply because they felt that telling the truth (that they didn’t do what was asked of them) would get them in more trouble.  I know this from experience.  When I was very young (first or second grade, as I recall), I lied several times about not doing the work that was assigned to me.  From then on, all throughout my school career, both my parents and teachers felt the need to check up on everything I did to make sure that I was doing what I was asked to do.  What I would recommend is to show him, in the most subtle, respectful, polite way you can that you are responsible and reliable.  For instance, when he tried to argue that your research paper wasn’t “allowed” to make an argumentative point (a rather ridiculous argument in itself, since the point of any term paper, especially one involving research is to present a point, support it with research and prove that your point is true), get out your rubric for the assignment and show him exactly what the requirements are.  Don’t let hi ask your para questions.  If and when he does, you step in and answer.  It’s kind of like those instances when you are with a friend or a family member at, say, a restaurant and the waitor or waitress asks your friend or family member, “What would she like”, and then you step in and order for yourself.  In this case, your TVI believes that you cannot function for yourself, so he asks your para questions.  You simply need to step in and show him that you know what you are talking about and don’t let him ask your para questions.  Don’t do it in a rude way so as to make him think you are interrupting him, but be firm.  Show him that you are capable of handling yourself as well as anyone else.

Regarding mentoring the other student, well, that can be a little tricky.  If I were you, I would make it clear (again, keeping in mind to be polite, respectful, but firm) that you are in school as well and you have your own busy schedule.  You are perfectly willing to answer questions when they are asked and to show the student around once or twice, but you are neither the student’s para, nor their mobility instructor nor their TVI.  Basically, you are, to this student, what we all on this list are to each other—mentors.  We are here to answer each other’s questions and to discuss issues we may have in common and offer help where and when needed.  Like I said, simply make it clear to the TVI and to anyone else involved that you are willing to help, but that you are not a teacher and that you cannot spend every waking moment with the student.  There may also be the issue of the student getting to “clingy”.  Of course, if you want him or her to become your new best friend, that is all well and good.  If you do not, however, make sure you set the boundaries and that the student, his or her parents and his or her teachers are aware of the boundaries.  I hope my ramblings made sense.  If not, you know how to contact me and I’ll try to make them clearer.  Hope this helps.

Ryan L. Silveira
Corresponding Secretary
Ohio Association of Blind Students
A Division of the National Federation of the Blind, “Changing What it Means to be Blind”
(203) 731-7580
ryan.l.silveira at gmail.com

On Mar 26, 2014, at 10:10 PM, Lillie Pennington <lilliepennington at fuse.net> wrote:

> Hello Everyone
> 
> I apologize for my posts on this list being generally being negative as of
> late and my questions having a  somewhat no-brainer type of answer. 
> 
> I have a new TVI this year. Based on what I have heard, my parents and I are
> pretty sure that I am the most advanced student on his caseload in terms of
> both Braille and/or blindness skills, as well as pretty high up there
> intellectually. 
> 
> In terms of doing my schoolwork and other school-related things, , I would
> classify myself as pretty responsible. I do not feel that I have done
> anything major that would result in a lack of mistrust. However, the way
> that my TVI sometimes acts towards me makes me feel otherwise. The way he
> questions some of my actions or what I say as if I cannot be trusted or as
> if I am lying bothers me. For example, he was wanting to talk about lunch
> things and who I sat with. He then asked my parra when she came back in the
> room if I did do these things (referring to my lunch routine.) Another
> example in my mind that sticks out of being mistrustful is when I was
> showing my parra the final draft of a research paper because we had been
> discussing Common Core State Standards (the topic of the paper) earlier. He
> wanted to see the paper, so I gave him the printed copy. He was quite
> skeptical about whether the paper was allowed to take an argumentative
> stance. I told him that it was, and he asked my parra (who is not in that
> class with me) if it was.
> 
> There was an upserge in these problems today which I had mainly put in the
> back of my mind. He and my mobility instructor brought the student that I am
> supposed to be mentoring next year that I have mentioned in a previous post.
> They were mainly looking at the building, which I will admit is weirdly
> layed out. 
> 
> I had previously provided both a written and oral description of the
> building to this student, and my mobility teacher has obviously seen it
> working with me. 
> 
> I will go off on another side tangent for a moment. After my description and
> noting that there were no Braille numbers on the doors, my TVI and the
> student were very upset. My TVI sent some emails and there is a meeting
> scheduled at some point to discuss getting Braille numbers installed. I
> asked if this is really necessary because my sister and I never had that
> much trouble navigating the building. My TVI asked if I thought about anyone
> but myself. This comment bothered me at the time but I was worrying about
> other things at the time so did not give it much thought. 
> 
> Today after the student left, my TVI told me that I should help this student
> learn the campus. He told me to create a top 10 list; things that would help
> the student get around. These things had to be totally blind friendly and
> for someone who could not process things as quickly as I could. There are
> two problems with this. I do not necessarily know how to see through these
> student eyes (or in this case, not see.) I have a bit of periferil vision
> that I use along with alternative techniques to navigate the building. Along
> with this list, I was expected to come up with things that the
> administration could do to change the school. I had trouble coming up with
> both of these lists, because I am pretty happy with the school, and
> everything basically clicked for me. I did try for about 10 minutes to come
> up with things and I did come up with something for counting the doors. 
> 
> When I tried to come up with these things, and when I could not and I
> explained, my TVI did not believe me. He said that it certainly took more
> time for me to learn the building. I also explained about the vision thing
> and he was quite skeptical.
> 
> I am done with being called a lier. I am done with everything I do being
> questioned. I am done trying to do a job that I feel is the mobility
> instructors job (with this list.) I felt like I was thrust into this
> position. I do not want to be generalized in this crusade about Braille
> numbers about all students who are blind needing them.
> 
> 
> 
> I want to confront him about this tomorrow. I felt like in a way he was
> bullying me today. I want to not dread my study hall every day for what he
> may say. However, I know that I have to pick and choose my battles. I am not
> sure if this is worth confronting him about. I am going to for sure tell him
> that I cannot do anymore for this student besides just helping a blind
> person mentally adjust psychologically to high school. I have an AP test in
> 6 weeks and I need to focus on preparing for that. 
> 
> I have lost sleep over this student. I have no real attachment to this
> person but I do have a fear that if I am not the one actively doing things
> that this student will fall into the wayside. I am also going to tell him
> that I do not want to be included in the Braille number discussions and that
> I am perfectly happy with the way things are, and that I do not want any of
> these arguments being made for "all blind students" because that is not
> true.
> 
> However, I do not know if I have the right to do this. My parents think I
> should help because otherwise no one else will. I feel like I am being
> manipulated, but I still in a way feel guilty. I am not going to mention the
> skepticism and how it makes me feel, but I will bring up my unhappiness with
> the arrangements for this student.
> 
> I will also speak to my mobility instructor on my next lesson. My TVI is the
> only one I am hearing these things from. I am not going to bad mouth my TVI,
> but I will say that I have been asked to spend time doing things and making
> lists that I do not feel that I have the authority or the experience to
> make. 
> 
> 
> 
> Is there some other way to do this? I am going to be as respectful as I can,
> but for me this has to end. Am I doing the right thing? I do not know what
> else to do in terms of other options. I apologize for the long post.
> 
> Thank You,
> 
> Lillie
> 
> 
> 
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