hallmark

i have a student who was ashamed of his African name, until I showed him a Kanye West lyric to legitimize it. it was so gratifying, to see his chest swell up like that. This student is tall and handsome, genuine and kind. He should be one of the most popular boys in school. But he's sped. I have no doubt that he suffers from a learning disability, but I often wonder if he suffers more from the brand he wears. A better than average reader with a strong voice, the students nevertheless burst into laughter every time he opens his mouth. I don't see anything funny about it; in fact, it upsets me greatly. But what am I supposed to do? If I defend him, he might suffer even more ridicule, which is the last thing I want.
This student works very hard in class and outside of it. He is always paying attention nd taking notes, he does any available extra credit. As a result of this, despite the fact that he is not naturally gifted, he is receiving an A in my English IV class, while the same students who ridicule him are not.
Today during my Chess Club meeting, he came by just to chat, a pack of uno cards in hand...kept popping in, chatting with the quiet, nerdy boys playing chess, presenting the mug that i had absently left in the library. And, while all these things are commonplace, they mean the world to me. This boy was asked, playfully, by my chess club boys, how he liked my class. he told them how much fun he had in my class, how he liked being here, and told them, a little proudly, his grade. It wasnt calclted to impress me, which is why it did. I am so thankfull that I'm a teacher.