How My Learning Style Took Me From an 'A' to a 'D' in One Fell Swoop!

Long, long ago in high school, I was quite the introvert. Mostly.

I was very quiet and unassuming, except to those that knew me best.  I stuck to my own circles, and that seemed to suit me just fine.

I did not volunteer to "go first", raise my hand willingly, or offer up ideas.  I was more likely to slink down in my chair, making myself as small as possible, to avoid drawing any attention.  I was very smart, but chose to keep my ideas and thoughts to myself.

Eleventh grade Advanced English.  There were about twenty of us in the class, and because I was quiet and unassuming, I had the honor of sitting directly in front of Mr. O’Connor.

Side bar: Today, this would be considered preferential seating...

I suppose he wanted to make sure that he had my attention. How could he not?  I was close enough to see the coffee stains on the front of his shirt which was almost a daily occurrence.

We get our next assignment:  A book report.

Great!  This assignment was right up my alley.  I have always loved to read and write, and in this instance, we could pick whatever book we wanted!

BUT... there was a catch.  (Insert Jaws theme here...)

In addition to writing the book report, we also had to present it orally to the class!

The entire class...

Quiet and unassuming me was concerned.  How was I ever going to do that?!?!

Well, I quickly decided that I wasn't. I was NOT going to stand in front of the class and share my work.

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If you're the parent of a neurodivergent kid or a kid with an IEP or 504 Plan, and this sounds like your kid, reach out!

Inclusiveology offers free initial consultations to get the conversation started on what's best to support your kid's learning.

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Fast forward to the day when my assignment was due.  The report was delightfully crafted in APA format, and I was sure to get an 'A'.

As each of my classmates walked to the front of the classroom and stood next to the blackboard (it was the 80s...), my anxiety rose.  I was dreading hearing my name called.

When Mr. O’Connor said, "DJ, it's your turn.", I sat there.

That's right.  I sat there... right in the front row.  Slinking down in my chair once again, making myself as small as possible, to avoid drawing any attention.

Mr. O’C: "Come on.  It's your turn."

Me: "No."

Mr. O’C: "No?" 

Me: "No."

Long story short, I did get an 'A' on my book report that was delightfully crafted in APA format.  That was a WIN.

I got an 'F' for not sharing my report at the front of the class.  That was a LOSS.

While this recount is from 1985, this practice of insisting that EVERY child do EVERYTHING the SAME way is still happening! 

What was the goal here? Was it to see if I understood the depth of content of my book?  Or was it to see if I was able to present in front of my peers? Those were two very different learning outcomes!

Let's shift our thinking...

• Decide what the learning outcome is for students.  What do you want them to know? What do you want them to be able to do by the end of the assignment/lesson?

• Give kids options on how to represent and express their knowledge.

• Be flexible.

• Support kids in growing their confidence.

• Recognize that kids are changing and so should teaching and learning.

  
  

While it was upsetting to get a 'D' on my overall assignment, it was more upsetting that I was put in an uncomfortable and stress-inducing position.  Obviously… this was 40 years ago. Forty years. And in 2025, I'm still telling the story.

Kids should never go from an 'A' to a 'D' simply because they are quiet and unassuming. I’ll stand on THAT all day long…

P.S. I am no longer shy and unassuming and help parents and teachers know what's possible for kids that learn and think differently!

P.P.S. If you're the parent of a neurodivergent kid or a kid with an IEP or 504 Plan, reach out! Inclusiveology offers free initial consultations to get the conversation started on what's best to support your kid's learning. Schedule an appointment HERE.