One of my students has a speech issue. He meets with a private speech therapist, so I don't get a regular update on his progress. The student and I have never talked about his speech issue, but I know he is aware of it. From time to time, he must repeat himself because others don't understand him. During a recent parent conference, I asked about his progress. His parents reported that all is going well according to the speech therapist.
"Well, I am not hearing the progress in class," I said.
"We don't hear improvements at home either," his dad admitted. We agreed to keep an ear open and to do some research.
The student and his therapist work in an out of the way corner of the school. I've been tempted to interrupt a session, but I am always rushing to an after-school meeting or hurrying to get my daily tasks completed.
Tuesday I spied the two of them working in their corner and I headed down the hall. The thought entered my mind, "Go over there and check on him." Then I looked my phone. I had 5 minutes before my meeting was going to start.
I walked over and stood by the table. The therapist invited me to sit down and I said, "Tell me what you are working on." The therapist looked at the student and he started talking. He told me that he has a hard time saying some sounds. Then he modeled the way he is supposed to say the sounds. His teacher prompted him to explain all the ways the sounds are made and he did.
I sat there amazed listening to my student. He was making progress. I just don't see it in the classroom. After he finished, I reached out a gave him a big bear hug. He was grinning when I told him, "Great work. You taught me something today."
The next morning my student greeted me at the door with new focus and a little more articulation. As we moved through the day, I could tell he was working to form those sounds in his mouth. At one point he said something and then corrected himself. I caught his glance and he grinned at me.
Those few minutes sparked new effort.
