[nobe-l] teaching in the public schools

[Nasser Fitwi]

Hi Cayte your experience teaching in the public school is very rewarding to blind individuals who are struggling to join the teaching profession.
I was teaching in the public schools in Africa. But, in Africa, as you know it, the technology is not such sophisticated. I mean when the seeing teachers write their notes on the chalkboard, the blind teacher will prepare his or her notes in hard  copy and distribute  it among the students.
However, How do you make your notes accessible to your students? I am trying to take computer training, do you use the overhead projector? Or power point? In general, how do you present your notes?
Sincerely Nasser Fitwi ---Original Message-----
From: nobe-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nobe-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cayte Mendez
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 9:50 PM
To: nobe-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nobe-l] teaching in the public schools

Hi Robby,

I am a blind teacher working full time in the south Bronx.  I teach in a general education classroom.  It is possible to be a successful blind teacher, but you should definitely be prepared to answer a lot of questions during the hiring process.  I went on 14 or 15 interviews before I was hired, and I had to be really up front about making sure prospective employers felt comfortable asking me questions about how I was going to access certain aspects of the job.  

At first I wanted to ignore the whole issue during the interview process, since I graduated summa cum laude from an ivy league school and I felt that I should be accepted purely on my own merits.  However; I eventually realized that just because principals and hiring committees didn’t ask didn’t mean they weren’t wondering, and until I opened the door for their concerns they were content to hold onto their misconceptions and dismiss me out of hand.  

As frustrating as it is to have people question your abilities, experience has taught me that it’s better to confront their questions head on, right at the outset.  Maybe you could sit down with the faculty members who are voicing concerns, compile a list of their questions about management and safety, and then take this time while you’re in school to develop solid answers, so that you have an arsenal of information at your disposal for counteracting future employers’ misgivings.

Best of luck,
Cayte Mendez





A book is a garden carried in the pocket.


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