Let your strengths identify who you are and who you will become. Shakespearean quote: "What-E'er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part." I asked, "How can I act my part? I don't know how!" I have thought, "Why is there something wrong with the way my head thinks?" Mother and I knew that we were not dummies, but something was wrong the way we communicated. Emotional problems resulted. Why?
I asked Mother how had school been for her. Her tears said it all. "I liked art, dancing, P.E., geography, and maps. I couldn't read well." Teachers knew it was not an acuity (being able to see or a need for glasses) problem. Why? This book will help uncover some of the mysteries of "why" and bring hope to the discouraged who do not know what is "not" wrong with their heads. The strengths! Mother and my tears were because we didn't understand cognitive processing. The brain!
The link between high school dropouts and criminal behavior is grim and staggering because weaknesses have identified the individual. Why? I believe it is because we have not understood our strengths. Why? The brain processes information as a tool for change. How?
Let us have a conversation!
The Year Was 1941 After school I pulled myself up and down the hills from kindergarten to our company-owned home, I could hardly wait to get home. Tears held back, flooded my heart. The open pit copper mine, massive as it was, couldn't contain the feelings of confusion and disappointment that filled my soul as I told myself, "I never want to return to that place where monsters live." The place where I was going to amount to something.
My caring mother had prepared me for school in a lovely new hand-sewn dress, white socks, and brown leather shoes, with a pimento and cheese sandwich in my hand. It was to be an exciting and happy time for me. Pleased to be all dressed up! Then came the monsters that changed everything. My future! They seemed to be all over the place. They were the reading, spelling, math, and sequencing monsters with the language monster being the hardest to understand.
I am sharing; I have lived it. The sequencing monster doesn't change. It screams to confuse me while troubling me with the order of things in which they unfold and are stated. Understanding and learning to compensate for the monsters, I survive. Hate them or make them your friends, laugh or cry. Bitter or better! It is like the ocean with its moods. The riptide that tears at the soul along with the beauty of the sun shining through the turquoise waves are parts of my tangled and colorful tapestry. Farewell, unreal monsters, now I know you!
In a nutshell, this book is about cognitive processing with its impact upon feelings, thoughts, and the range of human behavior. It is especially about learning differences and the impact they have on daily living. I am not saying that I have all the answers. I don't. I continue to search! However, I know that we will be inspired while on a journey seeking further light and knowledge.
The unfolding of my understanding about cognitive processing has come from experiences as a special education teacher. Those who have brilliantly researched and applied their knowledge have influenced my adventure. Therefore, I have helped others with their cognitive and behavioral challenges.
My contributions have been presentations for teachers on the Mainland and in Hawaii. Learned skills empower. It is a thrill to teach parents how to teach their children. Parents have been enlightened to find their gifts. Students have shared that lights turned on for positive changes. Grateful for a compass. Lives changed! I know some of our brightest, most creative, and gifted are often misdiagnosed with terms which revolve around behavioral and emotional challenges. As we have conversations about these challenges, may our journey find understanding and empathy needed to change the picture. I desire that this book will change lenses from discouragement to HOP
About the Author: I love the beauty of words even though learning to read was difficult. Also, I love my family and family research. Yard-work demands energy from my 82 years. Love it! I have a hobby: photography. I do some movie shoots for commercials and the church. I love life. Education: 1954 High School Diploma, Lordsburg, NM 1954-55 Western College, Silver City, NM 1955-56 N.M. A&M, Las Cruces 1957 American Airlines Stewardess College 1961-62 University of Arizona 1980 AZ State University Dual Major: Regular Elementary and Special Education, Minor in Social Studies BA Degree, Magna Cum Laude Employment History: 2007-08 Na'alehu Elementary School, Big Island, HI 2006-07 Alpine School District, Westmore Elementary School, Reading Recovery 2005-06 Waianae High School, Reading Specialist 2004-05 Alpine School District, Pony Express & Eagle Valley Elementary 2002-04 Waianae High School, Oahu, Hawaii, Resource 1992-02 Alpine School District., Orem Elem. School, Resource Teacher & Reading Specialist 1990-91 Aspen Elementary School, Resource Teacher 1989-90 Aspen Elementary School, Behavior Disordered Unit 1983-89 Highland Elementary School., Resource Teacher 1980-82 Gilbert Arizona, Regular Education Teacher, 4th Grade 1978-79 Cataloger, Arizona State Univ. 1978-79 Worked as a Maid, cleaning private homes 1976-78 Night Auditor, Clerk, Accounts Receivable, Hostess & Waitress, Stage Stop Inn, Patagonia, AZ 1976 Receptionist & Secretary, Picket Industries, Rio Rico, AZ 1975-78 Assist. Manager & English Teacher, Internation'l School of Languages, Nogales, AZ 1961-62 Registrar's Office, University of Arizona 1959-61 Secretary & Receptionist, Brigham Young University 1957-59 Stewardess, American Airlines 1956-57 General office work, El Paso Natural Gas Co. 1955-56 Secretary, Engineering Dept., NM A&M, Las Cruces 1954-55 Psychology Dept., NM Western College, Silver City 1954 Soda Fountain and Cashier, Lordsburg Drug Store Professional Affiliations: Council for Exceptional Children, Vice Pres., UT Chapter International Dyslexia Association Community Service: Worthy Advisor, Rainbow Girls Pres. Friends of the Library, Patagonia, AZ GFWC Pres. Patagonia, AZ Church Service Honors: Beta Phi Chapter, Kappa Delta Pi Extra Curricular Activities: High School and College cheerleader Sun Carnival Princess, Military Ball Queen Student Government
