Monday, July 2, 2007

"No Signing Allowed!"

I was watching a vlog by ASLMUSIC (http://aslmusic.blogspot.com), brought back memories of my growing up life at a deaf residential school which was definitely worth my experience. I would not turn back the clock except for my sophomore year where I started mainstreaming. I do not know if that's what it's called "mainstreaming" because I was the only deaf student in a hearing school. I wrote my comment in ASLMUSIC's vlog...which I have shortened and edited on my post here.

I wanted to share my experience...which I think you will enjoy reading. And do share some with me and others of your experiences.

When my school got a new supertindent, they changed policy and forbade us to use ASL in our everyday lives (while we were at school) which was impossible anyway...thank goodness!!!!

One time, my math teacher was writing on the blackboard, I was talking to a student next to me, signing, of course...teacher came over to me and said sternly, "NO signing allowed!" I was like, huh, I can't help it...something to that effect.

Teacher went back to blackboard, writing, again, I turned to the same student and resumed signing to her...teacher came over to me, with a ruler and slapped my hand hard (didn't see her coming), I was so shocked and without thinking, I stood up and grabbed the ruler off her hand and slapped her hand back, with the ruler! She, in turn, was in shock, face reddened and threw me out of her classroom, straight to principal's office. All the students were open-mouthed, in shock...and of course, I was angry.

But then later, I felt bad cuz the teacher was an elder, possibly around in her sixties. So while I waited in the principal's office as she wasn't there. When the Principal walked in and saw me sitting in a chair, she asked me why I was in her office. She groaned and rolled her eyes when I told her what had transpired in my math class. She sent me to another math class. I was allowed back in my first math class after a few weeks, behaved myself and dared not sign in front of her! What a memory and I chuckled every time I think about it. Wonder if that teacher laughed or still smitten? Oy vey!!