SayWhatClub September 2007 Newsletter

Lessons Taught and Learned - I give these handouts to my students on the first day of class.

WORKING WITH A HEARING IMPAIRED TEACHER

This is probably the first time you have had a teacher with a hearing impairment. Understandably, being hearing impaired can be a difficult handicap for a teacher and his/her students to cope with. With this in mind, I have put together the following guidelines which I hope will make the year go smoothly for both you and me. Please read these carefully and discuss them with your parents. Then, keep this in your binder as a reference.

1. My particular hearing loss makes it difficult for me to hear consonant sounds. Often I can tell that a student is speaking, but I cannot make out all the works that he/she is saying. Words that have similar vowel sounds or that rhyme will sound alike to me.

2. To help me understand you, you must remember to do the following:

Speak a bit more slowly than you normally do.
Pronounce each word clearly.
Speak more loudly than you normally do, but please do not shout. Shouting causes you to speak less clearly and will not help.
Do not speak out of turn. Extra background noise will make it impossible for me to hear the speaker.
Raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged before speaking. If I have not called on you directly, I may not be aware that you are trying to participate.
Do not assume that I have heard you unless I have directly acknowledged you. This is especially true at the start of class before everyone has settled down.

3. Please be patient with me. Most people become frustrated when talking with someone who is hearing impaired and give up. If what you have to say is important, then it is important enough to repeat so that I will hear it correctly.

4. Laugh with me, but not at me. Often it is comical when I misunderstand what someone is trying to say and it is important for all of us to keep a sense of humor. But, many times the misunderstanding is very frustrating and confusing. Be aware of the difference between the two situations and do not make fun of me when it is obvious that I am struggling to understand something.

I hope these basic guidelines will help us all this year. The school has provided me to with technology to help in the classroom. With their help and yours, the effects of the hearing impairment can be minimized.

I thank you for taking the time to read this and discuss it with your parents. Please sign below to indicate that you understand all that is written. If you or your parents have any questions or concerns, please call me or at school (xxx-xxx-xxx) or e-mail me at XXXXXXXXXXXXX.

Yours,

Elizabeth Lareau Whitcomb