So apparently today is #lefthanded day. Saw a picture that made me think of my own experiences in school. Once these desks popped into my world, I recognized that I, being a lefty, was different. (A thread)

In high school, only one teacher saw that I struggled to write using these desks and offered to accommodate my needs. We didn’t always get along, but she got a table for me to use. A whole table. I tried to do better after that.

Being able to rest one’s writing arm might seem insignificant; however, it’s tough and tiring. Fast forward to college. Only a few desks in certain buildings had were available to lefties. Either in the very front or most in the back corner. So that’s where I sat.

Sometimes I even had to argue with righties to get a seat where I could be a bit more comfortable. I also got reprimanded by Ts for wanting to be comfortable. “Just find another seat.” Hold on it gets better..

Taking my assessments to become a teacher, I had to write for hours sitting at a righty desk. I asked the proctor for a lefty desk from another room and was told all accommodations needed to be requested in advance. What!?

My arm cramped, my hand locked up My legibility over the time of the test decreased and I am pretty sure my response to the final question about pedagogy was a few paragraphs about making sure students have what they need to learn...such as desks that work for them.

Luckily, I passed and became a science teacher. Most of my classrooms had tables. If “those” desks were in a room when I floated in, I always asked for at least 1 desk with 1 chair for any lefties.

Here is the point. Comfortable Ss are going to probably learn better. Let’s think about that when we examine how we want kids to show up as they work in a place where they are very comfortable...their own home.

While I can see the need for a learning space, maybe that’s not how that kid will learn best. This is a time for all Ts to embrace the idea of making kids feel comfortable first.

That’s the end. Wait until my next thread about being a #lefthanded teacher and battling with the overhead projector markers.