itsawonderfilledlife

In my job I get to work with students who may have adaptations availed to them through their Individual Education Plans (IEP). Some of these adaptations might be to have tests and assignments read aloud to them, decreased problems on a test, more time to complete assignments or tests, etc.

None of those adaptations actually change the ability to show that they have learned what is required, but simply to show it differently, so that they are not being ‘tested’ on being tested but on the material learned.

Over the years I have had opportunity to see students thrive once the playing field was levelled, and they were given the chance to show what they really know.

One does not have to have an IEP, though, for there to sometimes be a need to have the playing field levelled to accomplish a task.

Sometimes our paths are not in a direct line, do not follow a prescribed method or journey.

Sometimes we need to take the road less travelled to reach our ultimate destination.

Sometimes we need the help of others to get to where we are going, relying on the family, friends, the community around us to get to make the desired achievement.

Our lives are unique to us, and we do not all succeed best by doing things as others, as expected.

The key is to keep moving forward, not back.

Easy words, but not always easy in practise.

We need to remind ourselves that we too can persevere to accomplish the task at hand. It is not how we get there, or how long it took, but that we didn’t give in and give up.