Bon Air Elementary

I am 22 now, but attended Bon Air Elementary as a child. My time in 5th grade features some of the worst school experiences of my life.

I had social issues, apparently: a lack of wanting to volunteer to speak in front of the class. For this, they stuck me in with the special education classes despite having perfectly normal grades. I was only shy. Putting me in with mentally disabled students did nothing to bolster my confidence, as I thought something must be wrong with me.

Though I had friends, I enjoyed the occasional time alone at recess. Normally I would watch other kids play ball. When a student complained that I wouldn't play with them, the teachers forcefully made us interact. This disturbed me as this other student had a deeply perverted obsession with me that would follow through to 9th grade in high school before I had to move from the district. I avoided this other student for a reason, but the teachers would not hear of it.

In 5th grade, the school had a Christmas "sing along" competition in which the students would have to sing a song on-stage in front of the entire grade. Even as the child whose shyness was mistaken as a disability, I could not opt out. These teachers knew I couldn't speak comfortably in front of a crowd. With tears in my eyes before my performance, I asked the group of teachers if I could please, please not do this. I was terrified. Within that group, I suppose not a single teacher thought "maybe these students should have the OPTION to do this". They made me do it anyway, I couldn't speak on stage, and thus completely embarrassed myself in front of the entire grade.

I have never forgiven them for this. I suppose they thought forcing me into an uncomfortable situation would help me overcome my insecurities? In reality, this experience absolutely traumatized me. Even as an adult it makes me cry simply thinking about it.

The teachers are probably gone by now, but I still have to question the school's policy on shy students. Are they still considered mentally disabled? Is forcing a child into a non-curricular situation they DO NOT want to be participate in still common practice?

I've gone to therapy for this instance even in adulthood. The memory of my time on stage lingers in my mind with deep regret. It is a shame I was forced to feel this way, when a teacher, who already knew I was severely uncomfortable to the point of tears, could have questioned whether participating was truly the best idea for every student.

I do hope this school has learned more compassion and understanding for individual students who simply do not fit in the cookie-cutter mold, without shoving them in with the mentally disabled.