Yes, Alex, you ARE special. The GOOD kind.
This teacher had the students tell Alex Barton, age FIVE, exactly what they dislike about him. Alex is being evaluated for Asperger Syndrome and has since this spring. Diagnosis, though, isn't what matters here.
What matters is that this so called teacher acted in a thoroughly detestable manner towards a child. This is hateful, builds stigma, and builds hate. Not acceptable. If you can't handle kindergarteners you shouldn't teach kindergarten. It is really that simple. Spreading the idea that it's ok to treat others like garbage just makes it all the worse. She has no business working with kids if she cannot control herself. Adults who bully small children are lower than people who kick puppies, and those people are pretty low.
Alex, honey (I work with kids, that's my excuse for the language!), this is for you:
Special isn't a bad word. Once upon a time, special was a good word. It meant there was something about you that was wonderful, exciting, unique, and different in a really cool way. You are a wonderful kid, just because you are YOU. You are doing your best, and everyone knows that. You didn't deserve what your teacher and the other kids in your class did. They were WRONG. It was mean, it was bullying, and if the world is at all fair something will be done about it. A whole lot of people are making a big fuss with the school and the news just for you, right now, so that never happens to you or any other kid ever again.
And to the 2 kids who voted that Alex should stay in his class:
GOOD FOR YOU. And good for your PARENTS. It's sad that kids who try to understand their classmates are so rare, but it's really great that you stood up to your classmates for Alex. Parents of these 2 kids, give them a hug. A big one.
To the school board where this atrocity took place:
If you don't see something wrong with this and remove this teacher immediately, you really have no business having any say in the formative years of any child. School is not a reality show. Kindergarteners should not have PTSD and especially not from their teachers.
Labels: Alex Barton, autism, discrimination
