I would like to tell you a little bit about my nephew Jeremy.  He is a sixth grader at Maplewood Intermediate School.  Jeremy is like so many children, with his desires and accomplishments that would make any aunt proud.  However, he falls short of being Learning Disabled (LD) because he can complete given tasks, but it takes him longer to comprehend material then the so called "average" student.  He has a below average reading ability, but exceeds most others in math.  Jeremy's greatest love, however, is fishing.  He will read all the documentation that comes with a fishing license, he can name all the fish caught in the Great Lakes, and he knows where to fish for them, just from reading the information.

        This story points out all children can excel when giving the right tools according to their interests and desires.  A friend of mine, Kelly Ferry said, "Not all children learn all subjects at the same time.  Comprehension is pushed aside for those that do not understand, and for those who do understand, they are left to drift on their own".  I agree with her statement, not all children learn all subjects at the same time.  I feel that children need to learn according to their own rate of development, not the national average.  She continued to say, "Labels have become foremost in our society, and at the expense of all children...while one may excel in art, those classes are pushed aside for other classes that fit a label."  Kelly also believes that gifted students should be included in a regular classroom, and the money should come from the schools general budget.  I fully agree, all students should be treated equal, regardless of their IQ.  Every child has special needs and desires, and it is the responsibility of our country, as a whole, to provide the utmost education for all children.

        I remember a quote, which Hillary Clinton said, "It takes a village to teach our children."  She later wrote a book on the subject of everyone becoming involved in our children's education, not just the parents, teachers, and the government.  I whole heartedly agree, it takes a nation to raise children, not just a mother and father.

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