Honor Through Caring

To sum up my perspective of differentiation and my view of its place in my class is not an easy or simple statement.  My own personal experience with differentiation during my school years is a testament to its importance and assistance it provides the learner.  I have a learning disability that until one teacher in my 10th grade year noticed held me back in my education.  Once discovered and properly diagnosed my grades improved greatly and my desire to progress increased.  I moved from an average student to the top of the class through assistance and tools provided by my teachers and family (my twin brother was aslo diagnosed at the same time and he increased at the same rate as I did).  My teachers didn't lower the bar but allowed for adjustments that changed my experience.  Tomlinson states that "Learning is hard work.  People learn better when they feel valued and supported.  To value and support learners, we must know them.  We honor learners by caring for them as they are and simultaneously expecting more of them.  People learn differently...teachers must teach flexibly."  I am a living testament to these words.  I can make a difference with my students by putting in the effort to care for and expect more of every student I have the privileged to work with. 

I can make a difference each and every day through differentiation.