I’ve found that my stutter has been useful in helping to show students that being different is a good thing. I also know what it is like to be overlooked in class because of difficulties. As a student I had a few teachers who chose to see only my stutter and not my other qualities. With this in mind, I’m always looking past what conditions children might have and instead paying attention to what things they can do really well. I’ve found that celebrating the positives, instead of focusing on the negatives, can do so much for a child.
My final message is to always encourage students to embrace what makes them different, because these differences are the things that make us who we are. Nobody told me that as a child and I really wish they had. The moment I stopped hiding from who I really was, I started to enjoy life so much more. Standing out for positive reasons, especially those I once associated negatively, is really empowering.
About the presenters
Sadia Khan
My name is Sadia Khan and I am an elementary school teacher for the Peel District School Board. I’ve been teaching for 18 years. I am a person who stutters since the age of 7. I want to become an advocate for stuttering in order to create more awareness.