Hope you are having a HAPPY FRIDAY! I just thought I'd share a story that has found a place in my heart! As some of you may or may not know, I taught 6th English-Language Arts last school year, and some of the most heart-breaking moments for me were when I would have a child tell me they hated reading. Hated reading?
In all honesty, I could almost relate to them. I never hated reading when I was their age, but I was by no means an avid reader either. (see Behind the Pages) But hearing this as a teacher took a different toll on me. It was like something had hit me deep in my core. It became my goal to pry and find out why the child resented reading. I would do what I could, and more often than not, I would discover that the child simply could not read, or could not read well. How unsettling is it to know that by 6th grade some students still cannot read? We are talking eleven and twelve-year-old children here, and unfortunately, it happens all the time.
Which brings me to the reason for this post. My S.O. shared this story with me (bless his heart!) from CBS News; it was aired on "College Football Today" last week. Malcolm Mitchell, a football player for the Georgia Bulldogs, has a very similar story to what I have just described to you. Struggled in grade school. Could not read well. Therefore, hated to read. But with all of the talent he possesses on the field, why would he ever need books? This is a very common misconception of many students; they find success in other areas, and they put reading on the back burner. The difference is, Malcolm decided to choose a different path. His story is absolutely remarkable, and it should be shared. If only every kid could see this...
"Somebody called me a nerd. That's not a word that I am used to hearing. I was proud of it...It was like a badge of honor to me." -Malcolm Mitchell
For more information about this story and Malcolm Mitchell, please visit CBS News.
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