TeacherwithTourettes

Special education teacher/Motivational speaker in CO. I suffer from multiple disabilities, but use positive teacher-student relationships to help my students.

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

My book of poems is now available on Amazon.

This is a collection of narrative poetry that places a magnifying glass over serious human experiences such as overcoming disabilities, abuse, and mental illness.

https://t.co/H9jgRnOWEE

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

Cover of my book of poems, "Fingerprints", due out in January 2019 from Turning Point Press.

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

One time, a student was taking a test with me. I said, "Here is some scratch paper."

She asked, "Is it going to scratch me?"

I said, "No."

"Then, why do they call it scratch paper? Why not just call it blank paper?"

Smart kid.

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

One time, I tested a student. I asked him what his birthday was.

He replied, "April 22nd."

"What year?"

He raised his arm and said, "EVERY YEAR!"

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

One time, a student walked up to me very excited and said, "I know how to say your name backwards."

"Really? How?"

He turned around and yelled, "Mr. C.!!!"

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

My motto for my students:

If you believe, you can achieve!

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

Today, some kids saw me doing one of my neck tics. They smiled and wondered. So, I told them about my Tourette's. I told them how we are all different, and that they can overcome their challenges as well, that some of the people who inspired me to persevere were my teachers.

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

One motto I share with my students is: "Focus on what you can control, and be the best "buddy" any "buddy" can be!"

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

Always believe you can make a difference, but never let your differences keep you from what you believe.

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

As a person with Tourette's, I have Palilalia, a tic where I repeat my own words. One day, I was working with a student with Autism who had echolalia. In unique fashion, I repeated myself, and this student repeated me. One interesting/ironic way I connect with my students. :)

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

Students with disabilities need positive relationships with teachers. But so do general education students. The students I work with may not be the highest achieving students all of the time, but because of my relationship with them, they work to their highest potential.

[TeacherwithTourettes @MarkChartier15]

I am a special education teacher with Tourette's syndrome, brain injury, and other disabilities. I work hard to build positive relationships with my students and to inspire them that they can overcome their challenges through perseverance, hard work, and a positive attitude.