Our Teaching Experience

This has been a very exciting week. Veronica and I went to a high school and taught about brain injuries in one class, 2 days in a row. The first day we showed our slide show of information including TBI definition, Severity, Facts, and Common Problems.  We shared our story, many different things we have gone through, and answered questions.

We have taught over 60 classes, but I still get nervous the first class of every semester, and I still use my notes. Veronica’s Chemistry teacher came to watch. As soon as I saw him, I stumbled on my words, but I could hear my husband say, “You know your story better than anyone.” At the finish of our lesson, we were given applause.

During teaching our lesson the first day, one of the students had to get up and leave for a few minutes. We found out later it was because she was extremely overwhelmed. She too has a brain injury and didn’t realize there were other people suffering like she is. She has been lonely, and hasn’t had support, which has left her very confused. Her parents didn’t understand that her symptoms after hitting her head on cement were very serious and related to the hit. After that class, the teacher asked if we could stay after class the next day because the injured student wanted to talk to us about what was happening to her.

The second day of teaching, we showed an actual video from when Veronica was hospitalized. We created a 22-minute video to show the students what Veronica experienced in a vegetative state, minimal conscious state, and back to consciousness. Once conscious, she learned how to smile, walk, talk and eat and these were all shown in that video and all the students and teachers were emotionally touched.

After the video was finished, we had time to answer any questions the class had. At the end we had a few minutes, so Veronica played “Brain Injury Hang-man”, where whenever a student guessed a correct letter, I tossed them a piece of candy. Not only did we teach very serious information, but we also ended the class on a high note.

I asked a visiting teacher what his thoughts were. He said, “It is very difficult to have the students attention for more than 3 minutes and before they would get on their devices.” (Computer or phone. Textbooks are no longer available; they use a laptop.) Next, he said, with a smile, “You kept the attention of 32 students for the entire 50-minute class, 2 days in a row.” Not only did a couple students stay back to talk to us privately that day, but several other students also came to thank us and give us hugs.

This was a completely rewarding experience. I am so glad we are allowed to teach at high schools and are asked to come back every semester. This is our 4^th year. We always wanted to make something positive come from the horror and trauma our family experienced, and now it has come to fruition. I am grateful for blessings like these every day.

A Miracle a Day, One Day at a Time: Hope After Traumatic Brain Injury

https://store.bookbaby.com/book/a-miracle-a-day-one-day-at-a-time

https://store.bookbaby.com/book/a-miracle-a-day-one-day-at-a-time

Have a beautiful blessed week.