Student Overcomes Challenges with Help of Staff, Peers, Technology

Editor’s note: This article is part of an occasional series designed to highlight student voices and experiences from throughout the district.

When Jared “JB” W. received his hearing aids in the first grade at Maple Hills Elementary, he initially didn’t like them. But by the time he reached third grade, JB had grown fond of them. “I realized how much it helped,” he says, now an eighth grade student at Maywood Middle School.

“I have a hard time listening and hard time doing work,” says JB, but mentions that the support of peers and staff help him overcome those challenges.

At the start of each class period JB lends a “pen mic” – also known as a Roger Pen – to his teacher to help eliminate auditory distractions in the classroom. The pen mic is a wireless microphone that can be worn around the neck. When JB's teachers wear the mic, their voices are fed into his hearing aids. In addition to improving the hearing experience in noisy environments, the pen mic is also useful for hearing speakers from far distances.

JB says background noise presents a challenge when it comes to hearing others and mentions that it’s also difficult to make out words when others are speaking with their back to him.

Despite the challenges and auditory adjustments he’s needed to make, JB says he appreciates how nice and patient students and staff have been since he was a student at Maple Hills.

The learning experience has only improved since transitioning to middle school. “I enjoy it a lot more than elementary school. [There are] a lot of great teachers,” he says.

Maywood Principal Crystal Weik recognizes the attitude that JB brings with him to school each day, saying that he epitomizes each of the “Charger” characteristics that are valued at the school.

“These qualities include being courteous, helpful, academic, resilient, generous, enthusiastic and respectful,” says Weik. “He walks into the building each morning with a smile and positive attitude and it’s common for him to hold the door for others.”

JB says that teachers have helped him throughout his academic journey at Maywood in several ways, including doing a great job at offering the accommodations included in his IEP. Also known as an Individualized Education Program, an IEP is a plan designed to ensure that a student receives necessary support and services that help them thrive in school.

JB takes a diligent approach when it comes to his learning – saying he works at a slower pace because of his hearing. Additionally, he also recognizes that nightly homework assignments from multiple classes can be overwhelming. “If you miss a day, the work piles up.”

Submitting quality work in a timely manner can be difficult for any student. And although this could be the case for some, JB understands the importance of staying on top of his school assignments and says, “there are lots of ways to get support in school, in general,” he says.

JB occasionally attends study sessions after school to make sure he is understanding course concepts and completing assignments.

His motivation to earn good grades stems from sixth grade, when he says he had a difficult time navigating Canvas and learning virtually.

“I felt like [my classmates] were always ahead of me,” JB says.

With the help of family, friends, staff members and resources offered to him at Maple Hills and Maywood, he says he’s grown to not mind it.

“He is a resilient learner who maximizes his learning opportunities in the classroom,” says Weik.

Whether he’s faced with the challenge of balancing homework assignments or grasping learning concepts, JB knows just how to fine tune “the noise.”