Dear American Education System,
Has anyone ever told you that the term "learning disability" is extremely derogatory? Basically, you're telling people that they're unable to learn if they don't fit the mold you've created. Has it ever crossed your mind that perhaps some people just learn differently? I was diagnosed with a "learning disability" in grade school, but I am in no way unable to learn; I just do better when I'm more physically and emotionally engaged in the classroom, instead of just sitting through a ninety minute lecture and trying to memorize millions of facts, dates, and equations that mean nothing to me. And I know I'm not alone: according to the National Institute of Literacy, 30-50% of the U.S. population has undiagnosed learning disabilities. Maybe you need to adjust your standards, or at least give this particular exceptionality a more PC name. How about "learning difference"? Or hey, how about "human"?
Love,
Kenz
P.S. I'm aware that the American Education System isn't perfect, but I refuse to use that as an excuse not to go into the field of education. I just can't walk away from an institution that clearly needs compassionate, driven, and hard-working people to better serve the needs of its students. You can bet that when I'm a teacher, I won't be diagnosing any of my students with "learning disabilities".
P.P.S. On a completely unrelated note, I now have a Facebook fan page. Y'all should chiggity check it out. Just do a search for "Love, Kenz" and it'll pop up.
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