By Greg Tucker

While teaching children to read, others learn about acceptance

When Jordan Richardson first attempted to tutor at a Minnesota elementary school, he was rejected because he is legally blind. Fortunately, administrators at Earle Brown Elementary in Brooklyn Center, MN, were able to understand the same thing preschoolers at the school did – it didn’t matter. And the Minnesota Reading Corps AmeriCorps member spent the next year teaching 4 and 5 year olds how to read.

“The children and I have talked about it,” Jordan told the Star Tribune during an interview earlier this year. “To them, it wasn’t a big issue. Being blind has no relevance to reading.”

The newspaper article describes the process Jordan used to teach the children:

When teaching children to read, he relies on a packet of handmade cards marked both visually and in Braille. He will place the card by his nose, so he can see its image, before showing the children. Each card carries a picture and description — a pig, for instance. He also relies on sounds, using rhymes and alliteration.

Richardson learned that he was legally blind when he was in preschool, and his sight has continued to deteriorate. But he adapted and became a National Honor Society member in high school, graduated from the University of Minnesota a year ago, and began studies at the Chicago-Kent College of Law this fall.

Jordan is a prime example of what can happen when we look beyond a person’s disability and embrace the skills that everyone has to share. This is something that students at Earle Brown are teaching us all:

“Preschoolers don’t have any preconception about disabilities and what you can and can’t do,” said Michelle Trelstad, director of the Early Learning and Community program at Earle Brown Elementary.

“The children have had a year to observe Jordan,” Trelstad said. “What a great opportunity for them.”

Learn more about Jordan’s inspiring story from the Star Tribune