Being a teacher is probably one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. Teaching children with special needs certainly has its challenges — but I can only imagine is also all the more fulfilling.
First-grade teacher Anna Trupiano works at a school that hosts deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students.
Unless you grew up with hearing difficulties, it can be tough to fully understand how hard it is to be deaf. Simple things that we take for granted are processed completely differently for those with hearing impairments.
While Anna spends her days teaching regular subjects like science and math, she is also tasked to help her students get by and thrive in a society that doesn’t always take their needs into account.
While in class one day, one of her deaf students, a six-year-old well, farted. Quite loudly at that. Some of the hearing students in class turned to look at the student and began to giggle.
But as it turns out, the deaf student had never quite realized that farts, well — make noise.
Since the other kids couldn’t contain their laughter, she saw this as a teaching opportunity.
What happened next was pure gold…
Anna was forced to engage in the sweetest and many might say, rather hilarious, dialogue with her students and explain the basics of farting in public.
Ah, the moment when a child learns the difference between a regular fart and a “silent but deadly.” It’s kind of beautiful, isn’t it?
Teacher of the year right here. Teacher of the CENTURY.
While this story is absolutely endearing and had me smiling ear to ear, it also raises the important question: What more can we do for our young ones with special needs?
“I know it started with farts, but the real issue is that many of my students aren’t able to learn about these things at home or from their peers because they don’t have the same linguistic access,” Anna told GOOD.
“So many of my students don’t have families who can sign well enough to explain so many things it’s incredibly isolating for these kids,” she continued.
After her post received so much attention on Facebook, Anna made a follow-up post with some options and ideas for how to get more involved with the American Sign Language community.
I couldn’t agree more with this wonderful and clearly caring teacher!
And in case you’re curious, here is how to sign fart:
Share Anna’s wonderful little anecdote if it brought a smile to your face, too — it’s something I’d certainly never thought of before!
