Honored teacher draws life lessons from speech condition
Published: May 7, 2007
Marjorie Brown recently was named Educator of the Year at the Shasta Damboree’s community awards banquet, after a sixth-grader praised her as an inspirational teacher who doesn’t let her speech condition get in her way. Brown, who teaches fifth grade at Grand Oaks Elementary School in Shasta Lake, has spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder that affects her voice. She retires next month after 19 years in the classroom.
Q: The student who nominated you said you were an inspiration. What do you make of that?
I am just very honored to receive the award because there are many teachers who are deserving. I hope I inspire all my students. When I was in college, because of my speech problem, one of my professors said, “You should not be a teacher.” What I want my students to realize is that things can be rough, things aren’t always smooth, but don’t give up.
Q. What would you like people to know about spasmodic dysphonia?
I’m wanting to promote an awareness of this disorder. It is misdiagnosed over and over. I was 35 when I first started having problems, and it took me eight years (to get a diagnosis). I got my teaching credential when I was 46. I went back to college with this disorder. I’ve got spasmodic dysphonia, but it doesn’t have me.
Q. Is it difficult to get your students to accept you?
Actually, no. At the start of the year, I walk into the room, introduce myself and say, “I have a speech condition. If you would like to know more about it, you can stay in at recess and I’ll explain it to you.”
Q. What else can you tell us about it? Is it fatiguing?
I was involved in two studies at the National Institutes of Health. They think it’s genetic, but they can’t prove it. It does take more effort because my vocal cords are not stopping the air, so I’m losing more air. In the beginning, I can remember getting dizzy, hyperventilating. Sometimes I have to slow down. I believe it makes my students better listeners.
Q. Are there tasks that are particularly difficult for you?
Using the phone is a major obstacle because people can’t always understand me.
Q. What do you like best about teaching?
I love to work with kids. When the light bulb goes on, it warms my heart.
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