Dena Mark
Transitioning
I remember a time when I was walking through the long narrow hallways of my high school. I heard a male’s voice yell out to me, “Hey, special girl! The retard classes are in the other building.” I don’t know who that was or what he was trying to accomplish by yelling that out to me that day. But I do know that he probably does not know the impact that days like this had on my life. Ever since first grade I have known what it is like to be a person with a disability, or as I like to put it, an “outsider.” From that day on, I couldn’t wait to get to college so I wouldn’t have the same stereotypes put on me that I have had all throughout grade school.
The transition between high school and college is in itself a difficult thing to do. This is especially hard if you are someone with a disability. Education programs in high school do not prepare students for college. I know this because I am a student with a learning disability, and I was in special education programs in high school. However, the DSPS program at SBCC has a lot of great benefits and accommodations to offer students with disabilities. Moreover, my parents are very supportive of me and they keep me motivated. I feel very fortunate to have had and still have their encouragement. It helps to have family support whether in high school or in college. This program helps students like myself make the transition from high school to college a little easier.
The
education programs in my high school did not prepare me well for college. For
students like myself who have been in programs such as special ed throughout
their public education, college classes may come as a bit of a shock to them.
For example, in high school my classes consisted of about 10 to 12 students
with disabilities like myself. My teachers always told me I was even more different
than the rest of the kids in that I have a special fire within me. This fire
was one to overcome the hardships I face with school and go on to college. Even
though I was in smaller classes and had more personal attention in high school,
I was also largely secluded from other students without disabilities. My friends
were limited to the people in my classes. Also all throughout grade school I
have always been labeled as someone that is disabled. Due to the label the other
students didn’t always accept me.
My high school excluded students like me from honors society, the senior activities,
and from class field trips, one of which was the field trip to the Museum of
Tolerance. Being a Jewish person, this really affected me in a big way. Therefore,
I decided I would become an advocate for students like me. I took the initiative
and handed out surveys to all the senior special ed students that would result
in everyone having the same opportunities. Since my mother plays a big part
in the school district she works in, she pulled some strings so that I would
have a chance to voice my feelings about the problems that were happening. I
held meetings with the administration of the school and the school district,
and I had petitions signed by all the students and teachers. The meeting was
in a big conference room in the school district’s office building. I sat
at a big long narrow wooden table, and around me were about 20 men and women
in business attire. With my parents beside me, I told the ladies and gentlemen
what kind of discrimination students like me have to deal with everyday. I told
myself from the start I wasn’t going to stop until something was done
talking about this. Even though not much had been done to resolve these problems,
I know I did all I could to make people aware of what was happening. I tried
my best to change things for students coming up behind me, even though I was
about to embark on a new adventure in college.
The transition from high school to college wasn’t an easy one. I have always wanted to attend SBCC for junior college, but since I don’t come from the area I had to find a place to live. This was a frustrating and difficult task in itself, but that was the least of my problems. Acclimating to a school that is nowhere near my home or family is a hard thing to do for a first year student like myself. Also, getting used to the way classes were conducted and workload was assigned was overwhelming. College has forced me to come to the realization that if I don’t say anything or do anything nobody is going to do it for me. I also had to learn the benefits that the DSPS program had to offer me, which was the best thing I could have ever done that first semester. For example, I am eligible to have extended time on tests, a note taker, tutoring and access to assistive technology on computers. The people who work in the DSPS office are very helpful and welcoming, and there are always tutors there to help you with any school assignments on which you need some extra help. The counselors in the DSPS office helped me find my classes and manage my time wisely. The DSPS program can really makes the transition from high school to college easier for disabled students.
Without my parents’ encouragement to go on to higher education despite my disability, I don’t think I would be as motivated to be as successful as I have been this year. All throughout my grade school education I have always had their assistance and it still is strong while in junior college. I call my parents every day and tell them what is going on with my life while at school. Whenever I have a problem or am stressed out about something, I call my parents and they always says to me, “Dena, we have so much faith in you and we are so proud of you; you can do this.” They have always done everything they can to pave a smooth path for me to succeed in college. Also my parents’ have instilled the importance of going on to college and getting a degree. This is what I keep in the back of my mind and carry with me everyday I go to school. All these experiences have led me to aspire to be a resource high school teacher. I believe I can relate well to students in the same situation I was once in, and I’d like to open up new opportunities for them.