Perry Elementary School: Mrs Elseser’s Kindergarten class

“Let us endeavor to live so when we come to die, even the undertaker will be sorry” - Mark Twain

It has become apparent that many people in today’s society, both children and adults, have often been

oppressing those with disabilities in a social matter. Many people with disabilities, whether they are

physical or mental, are often excluded from activities or social events of any kind. This occurs because

of various reasons, some being more deep than others. In some cases, those without disabilities are

afraid of the disabilities others may have, much like the character Julian from the novel Wonder. He

excludes August Pullman frequently from social events and becomes the “bully” of the story, yet

eventually realizes he only does this because he is afraid of August’s appearance. In other cases, those

with disabilities are excluded because others are simply not comfortable socializing with them. This is

often due to lack of education on the disability.

At a young age, we are all taught that everyone is equal. However, this is not enforced and

taught in a way that includes those with disabilities. Growing up, I remember being told that children I

went to school with who had autism were “special”. Some had obvious disabilities, while others

disabilities went unnoticed by myself until I was much older. Of course, the kids I went to school with

who had disabilities were special, just like the rest of us, but being told this only emphasized the

differences between myself and these peers in my mind. When I was told this, I viewed these students as

a “different kind of special”, not the same as myself or other children without a disability. Like many

children, I was glad I was not a “special” child and was often uncomfortable around those with

disabilities because of the differences I saw between them and myself. As much as teachers and parents

try to help by using this statement, they really only deepen the gap between those with disabilities and

those without. However, some children were not taught anything like this, some children were taught

worse. They were lead by example to turn a blind eye, which often causes the worst type of fear

towards those with disabilities; fear of the unknown. Of course, most people are not afraid of

disabilities, but they are afraid of how to properly socially interact with those who have disabilities and

are uncomfortable being around them as well.

It is important for education on disabilities to start at a very young age for children, so they

will not grow up believing some kids are “a different kind of special” or believing those with

disabilities are scary and abnormal people. All types of schools should provide some form of education

about disabilities to young children, whether there are children with disabilities attending the school as

well or not. In Wonder, Julian had attended private schools his entire life. These schools are not

considered “inclusion schools”, so he had no experience with disabilities in his life. When he finally

met August, who has a physical disability, he had nightmares that eventually fueled him to resent

August and treat him poorly. If schools of all kind take the time to communicate with peers about

disabilities, the education can make a world of a difference for those with disabilities socially. Children

should be given education on what life is like with specific disabilities and the positive outlook of the

disability (how those with disabilities are similar to those without disabilities, what makes the disability

more “bearable”, good sides of the disability, etc.). Of course, parents should follow through with the

education as well and teach their children at home the same ideas as well as what is acceptable when

talking to/about those with disabilities.

The only ways to understand something is to be educated about it or to have first hand

experience. In the case of being educated on disabilities, having first hand experience is not effective

unless it is experience that occurs often over time, such as having a brother with autism or a blind aunt.

If someone has no other experience in socializing with those with disabilities, they often exclude them

and ignore them as often as they can. In Wonder, Julian did not realize he was cruel to August, telling

his parents “‘No, okay? I’m not sorry! I know everybody thinks I should be all, I’m sorry for being

mean to Auggie, I’m sorry I talked smack about him, I’m sorry I dissed him. But I’m not. So sue me.’”

People with no education or experience with people who have disabilities do not always fully

understand why it is wrong to exclude those with disabilities because they do not grasp that knowledge

and are more concerned about avoiding the unknown.

Although it may be unfair to blame parents and teachers for children’s poor education on

disabilities, they are the biggest educational influences on a child. “Children are like sponges” is a

very true statement. As a child, many social skills and habits are developed, so it is important for

parents and teachers to make sure viewing those with disabilities as less, excluding them or fearing

them are not any of the habits or social skills developed in order for the children to grow up accepting

those with disabilities socially, accepting them as equals.

Those will disabilities will never be included in social interactions fully and accepted in all

types of social situations until a solution is enforced. Teachers and parents need to teach children on

the importance of inclusion and the abilities those with disabilities have. Once children learn about

these disabilities, they will be capable of forming the habits of including others with disabilities in

social interactions and activities, being able to empathize with those who have disabilities later in life

and include them as adults as well. In order for this to happen though, these habits need to be formed

at a young age and always be practiced.

How Does Service Change Lives?

I thought I knew a lot about children before I started my service in Mrs. Elseser’s

kindergarten classroom. Having a three year old niece living in my home made me feel as though

I had some sort of advantage. However, I was completely wrong. I went into kindergarten

thinking I knew so much more than the children, thinking they had more to learn from me than I

from them. Leaving Mrs. Elseser’s class, I realize I learned a lot from the children I served.

Things like, there are over 440 species of sharks and a twelve sided shape is called a dodecagon.

Most importantly, I learned that dedication to others makes a huge difference, how to be a good

friend, and the innocence of children

I had been with Mrs. Elseser’s students for an entire school year, spending about five

hours a week together. We did activities such as Farm Day, Hawaii Day and even a leprechaun

hunt. They showed up every day, excited and ready to learn. If it wasn’t for Mrs. Elseser’s

dedication to teaching the children in a fun way, they probably would never get to do the things

they got to do this past year. I admire her dedication to her students, and hope that someday I

will be someone as ambitious and passionate as her with my own career.

By the end, we had all become awfully comfortable with each other and I have learned a

bit about each child on their personal lives outside of class. One little girl had repeatedly told me

about her father going to jail. She was never very sad about it, nor did she complain. Most of the

time she just asked me to edit a letter to him or mentioned it within a conversation briefly. Once,

she had told me, “When my daddy was in jail we talked on the phone. He told me one time that

watermelon is a black man’s apple”. I was initially horrified by the child’s clear racism, but later

realized that she had no clue she was being racist. She was only telling me what her father had

told her. I realize now, children do not discriminate unless they are taught to. They do not care

about the differences of people unless other people show them something wrong with these

differences.

One thing children do care about is being a good friend. Mrs. Elseser calls her students

her “friends”. It always struck me as very strange towards the beginning, but now I understand.

She calls them her friends in order to show that everyone is equal in her classroom and everyone

deserves to be treated kindly. One instance that made me very proud of Mrs. Elseser’s students

was during a craft I was doing with the children one day. I gave everyone different colored paper

to start out with. Two boys wanted the blue paper, so I had to choose between the two. I gave the

paper to the boy who I assumed would likely react the poorest if not given what he wants. To my

surprise, the boy gave the paper away to the other boy who did not get the blue, saying, “Here, I

know you really wanted it. I can take the red one, that’s okay with me. I want you to have the

blue one.” The children had always fought over small things, as children often do, but they still

do things to make others happy and to be a good friend.

I never expected much out of children before coming to Mrs. Elseser’s class. I knew they

were interesting and absorbed information very well, but I never knew how great of students and

friends they are. They influenced me to come to school happy, ready to learn and excited to try

news things. Also, they showed me how important it is to be a good friend. I learned from them

that making little sacrifices to make your friends happy is okay and that encouragement towards

friends goes a long way. Not only have they taught me how to be a good friend, but they have

been a good friend to me as well. Soon, I will be saying goodbye to these friends. Although I will

be sad to say goodbye to Mrs. Elseser’s friends, I am forever grateful to have such a wonderful

group of friends throughout the year.