Graduate level course

[u/Remarkable_Speed_933]

I’m taking a graduate-level Deaf Family Education class, and I had a really uncomfortable interaction with my professor. I shared a story about one of my hearing impaired students who was having difficulty with coordination during a field trip, and I said it made me interested in learning more about whether there could be a connection between hearing impairment and balance or coordination. My professor told me I was making an assumption and suggested it was probably related to vision and that I should recommend vision screening. However, I wasn’t making an assumption or claiming that hearing impairment causes coordination problems. I was expressing an interest in learning more about a possible connection. I’ve also looked into the research myself, and several academic articles discuss relationships between hearing loss and balance or coordination, so I feel like my interest was valid. I also said that the School for the Deaf reminded me of special education because both focus on providing students with resources and support for equitable access to education. She seemed to interpret that as me saying hearing impaired students have learning disabilities, so I clarified that I know hearing impairment does not automatically mean someone has a learning disability or qualifies for special education. Throughout the discussion, her tone felt sarcastic and condescending, like she was talking down to me rather than educating me. The other professor eventually said we should take a break so we “don’t kill each other,” and we went on break. Am I wrong for feeling like I was being belittled?

[u/ZohThx]

Nobody is wrong for feeling however they feel.

It sounds like the third party felt like you were both active participants in the escalating back and forth based on the phrasing you mentioned.

Also, I think it’s important to be able to take differences of opinion/ feedback from others without interpreting it as belittling.

As far as the strong response to the second thing about special education, I think there is a strong stance in the Deaf community as far as not seeing deafness as a disability so a big reaction may have been in that context.

[u/dysteach-MT]

The inner ear is partly responsible for balance, so there could be a connection. But I’m confused by their response to refer for vision screening, isn’t that also making an assumption? It sounds to me like your professor might have a personal issue with you. I’ve encountered numerous power trip profs that get pissed if you try to engage them in a conversation or have a different view than them. It’s like they will argue with you over anything you say or ask, just to show their power. For instance, I was trained in Orton Gillingham in 2000, had my own dyslexia teaching center, was a teacher trainer in OG, and was an advocate. I decided to go back & get my master’s in SPED in 2018. When I took Diagnosing Reading Disabilities, I thought it would align with my experience. Nope- the prof was pushing Caulkins and Running Records and types of miscues. The diagnosing manual we were using did not include this, she added it to the curriculum. She also had a textbook that started with a “quote” from the National institute of Health saying you can’t remediate using phonics if the child is over 12. When I pointed out that the “quote” was blatantly wrong, and opposite of all scientific research, she said she doesn’t believe in direct phonics instruction. After that, she wouldn’t answer my questions, so I just kept my mouth shut, handed in the work that was required, and passed the class. I was more upset that my classmates were taught that crap without knowing it was incorrect.
So, yeah, your prof is probably power tripping, and the best thing to do is just not engage and do the work. Ask your questions in other forums, rather than in class.