It’s probably the best way I can sum up the first few weeks as an English teacher at Onehunga High School. Ask anyone who is – or has been – a high school teacher, and they’ll tell you the first year is a really tough slog. Learning ~150 new names, school systems and procedures, having students ask “Why should I?” when you ask them to complete homework, and a form class of Year 9 students who look to you for the answers to all their questions are just some of the hurdles I’ve had to overcome in my first few weeks.

That said, it’s been an absolute blast. I have a Year 9 form class, and four English classes, ranging from Year 9 (Form 3) to Year 13 (Form 7), each of which bring their individual challenges and delights. The students at Onehunga High School are real characters, and bring a full dose of personality to each class. This is great for group work and class discussions, but it can also lead to periods of borderline anarchy when it’s last period on a Friday!

The school itself is built on a steep hill, and as such isn’t the most naturally accessible environment. However, the Ministry of Education have really come to the party and funded ramps, an adapted bathroom, and potentially a lift at some point down the track. It’s great to see that using a wheelchair is no barrier to employment in the education sector.

You might be wondering how the students have reacted to my use of a wheelchair in the classroom. Quite honestly, they seem completely non-plussed. None have been rude or disrespectful, and as far as I can tell they don’t treat me any differently to any other teacher. In many ways this is great news, and proves that attitudes towards disability are changing rapidly amongst members of the next generation!

As for anyone who thinks teachers have it easy, you’re welcome to join me in my classroom and give it a go. It won’t be long before you change your mind, trust me!

PS – If you’d like to know more about what it’s like to teach in a high school as a wheelchair user, or if you’re considering a career in education yourself, please feel free to contact me.

In the interest of context, allow me to recap the last few weeks as concisely as I can. Taking my first ever lesson at Massey High School was a pretty big deal. You know, we spend years at University; months contemplating teaching; weeks at Teachers’ College; and it all comes down to one hour, one period, one lesson to answer the big question: can I do this? The answer, I’m delighted to report, was a resounding yes.

It was, in fact, quite the momentous occasion. Going in to my first practicum, I had several obvious hurdles to overcome, and would discover several more in the first few days. How would I cope with not being able to write on the whiteboard? Does it matter that I’m perpetually 4ft? Will the students take me seriously? Will I manage, wheels ‘n all?

So as you can imagine, getting that first lesson under the belt and putting a cautious tick in the “viable career option” box was a huge accomplishment. Since then, things have got better and better.

Please don’t misconstrue my excitement as ego, I’m well aware that this is but a small step on the long road to becoming an accomplished teacher. My mentors make it look so damn easy, and teaching can be really bloody difficult. But the mere fact that I have conquered the first few hurdles and put many head-scratching colleagues’ evident concerns to rest gives me a huge sense of achievement. We need to celebrate our successes, however insignificant!

So, on to what happened today. Yesterday, my lecturer Ngaire Hoben observed me teaching a Year 13 Media Studies class, and my students – bless them – were all so conscious of “being good” that they turned into this terrifyingly silent bunch of teenagers. THEY ARE NEVER SILENT! Anyway, as a token of my thanks I brought in some chocolate for them to munch on during last period. In exchange, I asked them to fill out a short feedback form on yesterday’s lesson – “One thing I liked” / “One thing I thought could have been better”. They all did it, and I’ve just flicked through the responses.

Wow. Their responses were astonishing. They were genuine, well-considered, thoughtful responses that will really aid my teaching from here on in. Suggestions like “Spend a little more time on the middle part of the lesson”, and “Go through some of the techniques used in the film to help refresh our memory” epitomise the level of conscious feedback I received. Reading the “stuff they liked” was also really useful, helping me to understand which elements of the lesson resonated with them. I also got some hearts and smiley faces which, you know, never hurts!

It’s really staggering just how little my wheelchair affects my ability to teach, really. I’ve started using a wireless bluetooth keyboard in conjunction with my laptop to allow me to record class discussions on the board – it’s just brilliant. Much better than a whiteboard! And apart from the odd question about whether or not my wheelchair is “fun” (?!), the students are largely unfazed by it. Truly, it’s something of a revelation. And so encouraging. I’m so excited by what’s to come next!

BRING IT ON!

So my van’s carked it, again. And it’s going to cost thousands to fix. Excellent news!
It has, however, pushed me to consider getting a new vehicle. I’ve had this one for 7 years now, and it’s cost me almost $4,000 at the mechanic’s in that time. I think I’m due. Plus, if I want to gain employment, reliable transport is a must. And as we all know, public transport + wheelchair does not always equal reliable!

I had a look around and made the startling discovery that for a new, hoist and hand control-equipped car, I’m looking at around $80,000. As absurd as this sounds, it makes sense given the way ACC seems to readily fork out for new cars for their clients, while the rest of us have to dig into our own pockets for that sort of cash.

I’ve also decided that if I’m going to go down this long, arduous process of applying for funding, I only want to do it once. So I’m gunning for a new car. Something like this looks awesome. You might think it’s extravagant and yes, price-wise it most certainly is. But think about this – for the average person pursuing a new career, the assertion “I want reliable transport so I’m going to invest in a new car” would be met with murmurs of approval, of sensibility. That’s because it might only cost them, say, 20k. But $80,000? Ridiculous.

So. Where to from here? I guess I was hoping for some advice/guidance/suggestions around funding avenues. Which agencies/funding streams have you had success with? What other alternatives have you pursued? Any other considerations I should factor in? Sausage sizzles? Ha!

Thanks team!

A lot tougher than I’d anticipated, actually. 3 weeks ago, one of the interview panel for Teachers College asked me, “Have you considered the challenges you’ll face, teaching in a wheelchair?”. Naively, I scoffed at his question. “Every day is a challenge, mate”, I thought. “I’ve spent 24 years negotiating hurdles, it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

But I was wrong: this truly is a whole new ball game.

For many of the obstacles that present themselves in my day-to-day life, it’s simply a matter of finding another way of doing things; another route, if you will. Stairs? Take the lift. Can’t reach the box of Corona? Ask someone to grab it for me.

Easy.

Many of the solutions I find for negotiating everyday tasks are sub-par in comparison with their able-bodied alternative. Lifts can be slower – and more prone to breaking down – than stairs. Asking someone to pass me a pack of beer takes a little longer than grabbing it myself. In most cases, however, the difference between the two routes is negligible.

Here’s the kicker: I fear that the impact of my alternatives to common teaching practices will be far greater. For example, I’m currently grappling with how to negtiate some fairly fundamental pedagogical tools, such as writing on the whiteboard and visiting students at their desk to assist them with their work. Some obvious solutions to these (and indeed, ones that I initially thought would mitigate said issues) would be to use OHPs instead of the whiteboard, and to encourage students to visit my desk, instead of the other way round.

While those alternatives appear reasonable solutions, the reality is that they, too, are sub-par. And this time, it doesn’t just add a few minutes to my day. It affects my ability to do my job, the school’s confidence in my pedagogical competency, and ultimately, my students’ quality of education.

So I need a new approach. I was chatting to a good friend of mine last night, and he observed that I “need to reinvent teaching”. A lofty goal indeed, but it was hugely liberating to hear. In a way, hearing those words gave me permission to seek more radical alternatives. Teaching is the type of profession that is so ensconsed in its own history, its own traditions and pedagogical tools, that ‘the way to teach’ is rather prescribed. But I need to re-prescribe.

“Not just different – better”.

I came up with that pithy (and thoroughly unoriginal, I know) catchphrase last night after a great talk with my ever-supportive better half. It encapsulates how I’m beginning to feel about approaching my teaching career. It’s not enough just to find stop-gap solutions to things I can’t do, or things I find hard to do. I need to find better ways of teaching that suit my individual circumstances. I need to draw upon the skills and competencies I already have, and infuse them with a fresh approach to one of the oldest professions in the book.

Not an easy task, granted. But it’s got to be done.

So let’s get to it.

It’s all very exciting, and am currently in my third week of a Grad. Dip. Secondary Teaching at the University of Auckland.

As such, I’ve been a little bit preoccupied, and I apologise sincerely for that. But I’m about to post my thoughts on my brief foray into teaching thus far, so I hope you get something out of that and keep checking back in every now and then. I’ll still be posting!

What are you all up to for 2011? Drop me a comment and let me know!

As we left, the other wheelchair user left the cafe right behind me. As she wheeled away, my Uncle remarked, “It’s wheelchair central out here!”. Now, make what you will of that comment, but it just hit me how strange it was that two wheelchairs in one location was notable, even remarkable. If “wheelchair central” is defined by two wheelchairs, I wonder what you’d call 3 or more? A stampede?!

I guess my point is, it would be nice if 2011 was a year where seeing more than one wheelchair in one place became a regular occurrence, or at least not as noteworthy.

Did you know – at Rhythm & Vines 2010, I was the only wheelchair user there? The only one. Out of 25,000 people. Come on team – let’s get out there and prove we exist!

Behold: 5 Things You Shouldn’t Do When Hanging With a Wheelchair User

By Kat:

• Do not lean on my wheelchair

If you were standing in an elevator and some random guy got on, stood right next to you and put his elbow on your shoulder so he could lean on you how comfortable would it be? This is the equivalent of you leaning on my wheelchair in any way! Not only is it extremely annoying, but my wheelchair is a well balanced piece of equipment. Any extra weight on any part of it could cause it to over-balance, sending both of us into a heap on the floor. If you lean on me, I will move suddenly, and cause you to loose your balance before you cause me to tip over myself!

• I am not a coat rack, or a place to hang your purse or shopping

I don’t hang my coat, purse or shopping on you, so do not hang yours on me! If I have a backpack hanging on wheelchair I know how much weight is in it, and that it won’t cause me to tip over backwards. I’ve adjusted the way I move to compensate for it. If you hang things on my wheelchair, I don’t know how heavy they are and they could easily cause me to overbalance and fall over backwards, crushing whatever you had in your purse, or bag and hitting my head off of the floor! Your coat could also get caught in my wheels as I move and cause me to fall out of my wheelchair. I will casually bump anything you hang on me with my elbows until they fall onto the floor or ground.

My additions:

• Don’t speak to the person next to me when I’m perfectly capable of answering myself.
• Don’t offer to “save me” if I accept Jesus Christ into my life. One of my all-time major bugbears.
• Don’t pat me on the head!

Calling all wheelchair users – do you agree with these? What would be your top 5 “don’t”s?

]]> http://walkingisoverrated.com/2010/12/17/5-things-you-shouldnt-do-when-hanging-with-a-wheelchair-user/feed/ 4 http://walkingisoverrated.com/2010/12/14/is-it-true-is-walking-again-the-holy-grail-of-being-a-wheelchair-user/ http://walkingisoverrated.com/2010/12/14/is-it-true-is-walking-again-the-holy-grail-of-being-a-wheelchair-user/#comments Tue, 14 Dec 2010 04:22:38 +0000 Red http://walkingisoverrated.com/?p=955 Philip Patston said, "it sets the disability rights movement back 20 years". [UPDATE]: Oh yeah, and the music makes me want to throw up. I'd love to hear your thoughts! ]]> Look, I’m really not sure what to think about the TVC you’ll see below.

I just really resent any primetime imagery (and it was played in primetime) depicting wheelchair users “longing to walk again”. I understand that some would love to return to their lives pre-accident. But as someone that is hugely proud of his contribution to the world’s levels of diversity, and is grateful for the perspective on the world that being a wheelchair user has brought him, watching ads like this makes me cringe.

Like Philip Patston said, “it sets the disability rights movement back 20 years”.

[UPDATE]: Oh yeah, and the music makes me want to throw up.

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

]]> http://walkingisoverrated.com/2010/12/14/is-it-true-is-walking-again-the-holy-grail-of-being-a-wheelchair-user/feed/ 18 http://walkingisoverrated.com/2009/07/04/taking-a-break-but-watch-this-space/ http://walkingisoverrated.com/2009/07/04/taking-a-break-but-watch-this-space/#comments Sat, 04 Jul 2009 09:10:44 +0000 Red http://walkingisoverrated.com/2009/07/04/taking-a-break-but-watch-this-space/ Hey everyone,

It’s about time I announced what may already be painfully obvious: I’m taking a break from Walkingisoverrated.com. Not forever, just for a little while. Time to recharge my batteries, brush up in some other areas of my life, and work on a brand new project, which could be even more exciting than this!

So if I don’t update for a while, don’t panic. It won’t be long before you hear from me again, I promise

In the meantime, you can email me, find me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Catch you all soon

Red

]]> http://walkingisoverrated.com/2009/07/04/taking-a-break-but-watch-this-space/feed/ 5 http://walkingisoverrated.com/2009/05/25/wheelchair-accessible-travel-across-the-world-where-should-i-go/ http://walkingisoverrated.com/2009/05/25/wheelchair-accessible-travel-across-the-world-where-should-i-go/#comments Mon, 25 May 2009 02:05:03 +0000 Red http://walkingisoverrated.com/2009/05/25/wheelchair-accessible-travel-across-the-world-where-should-i-go/

Video blog #3: Travel!! from Red Nicholson on Vimeo.

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