Saturday, April 11, 2015

Thursday and Friday: The Chicken or the Egg

One frustrating thing for me as a teacher is that I have Auditory Processing Disorder.  APD can cause problems because if there is any background noise, I essentially can't hear it.  I mean, I hear it, but it's like being in a loud restaurant where you can't hear over the crowd, or, really more accurately, being at a rock concert.  Only this can happen to me if I'm in a classroom with talking children.  It means if there is any sort of conversation going on amongst my students, even if they are not being excessively loud, I cannot hear a question asked by a student even if that student is directly in front of me.  I'm pretty good at lip reading anymore, but I'm still very often unable to figure out what the student is saying.

My students probably think I'm mean and "old school" because I don't like a lot of talking in my classroom.  Really, it's due to this darn problem of mine.  I've always questioned whether or not to tell my students about it, but I worry they will somehow use it against me.  I don't really know how they would or that they really would do it in an evil way, but students, like all children (or people in general) will find loopholes in anything.

This is something that has made me think about my own personality.  I always thought I was an introvert, but knowing now about my APD, I have been wondering if I am really an extrovert who thinks I'm an introvert because being around people means straining to process what I'm hearing, which is in turn very exhausting, which is why I need time alone to recharge (a trait most consider the hallmark of being an introvert).  So it's really which came first (like the chicken or the egg): Am I naturally an introvert, or am I an extrovert forced to connect myself with introversion because it is so exhausting having to process conversations in groups?

This, people, is what I ponder.

Thursday
Dress (turned skirt): JcPenney
Sweater: F21
Necklace: Premier Jewelry
Wedges: Anne Klein
 Friday
Peplum Top: Ann Taylor
Striped Top: Old Navy
Jeans: Kohl's
Necklace: Dustee's
Belt: Target
Matching Wedges: Payless
Sperrys: Dillard's
I call Friday's pictures "Expectations Vs. Reality"  The pic on the left is what I really wanted to wear to school.  The height of the wedges though, just would not have been good for my tired teacher feet at the end of the week.  Sperry's won out instead, even though I didn't like them with my outfit as well.  I can say my feet enjoyed them very much, though!

1 comment:

  1. I'm a part of the NovelTea Book Club sponsored by Kristin at mylifeasateacup.com
    In March, the group read Quiet by Susan Cain that explores the qualities of being an introvert. You should totally check it out, maybe this summer when you aren't moving across the country :)

    I'm also always a fan of being honest with my kids. I feel that they are generally understanding about how you're feeling. In your scenario, they may be more accepting of the rules if they knew why they exist. It also might open up a conversation about tolerance. I guess it just depends on your comfort level though!

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