Locked In: A Learning Experience
Out of every story of every first job, this may be the worst. This job is more difficult than I could have ever imagined. It has only been my first day and already I, Annie Sullivan, have had disrespect from the whole Keller family. Plus the fact that I have been locked in my room by a blind and deaf six-year-old. This very mischievous child, Helen Keller, stole my key and locked the door before I had even finished unpacking!
Based on this incident, I have discovered that Helen is an intelligent girl. Almost too intelligent for her own good. If you add that cleverness with parents who are far too lenient with her poor behavior, you get a recipe for disaster. Instead of being punished, she gets rewarded with candy to keep her calm. I feel like Mr. and Mrs. Keller are desperate to tame her, if only for a short amount of time. From my observations today, I have concluded that Helen’s mother, Kate, is the only one in the family who truly believes in her and her ability to learn.
I worry that Helen will not follow my instructions because she is too dependent on her family’s sympathy for her. It will be hard for her to take directions from someone else, or anyone for that matter. She has already made too many bad habits such as eating other people’s food off their plates and running around wildly. My biggest concern is that even if I somehow do make changes in Helen’s behavior, her parents will ruin my progress by spoiling her.
I dearly hope my plans to teach this child will work. I must be strict with Helen, and teach her that the world does not revolve around her. She should only get rewards from me when she earns them through hard work and obedience. That said, I must also teach the family. They need to know that giving into Helen will only hurt her. The Keller's will also need to learn sign language since they will be the ones Helen wants to communicate with.
All in all there is much to be done, but with hard work and determination I believe Helen will learn. This process may take months or even years, but I am certain by the time I have finished the little girl will have an understanding of the world. I know it can be done because I have seen what this bright child can accomplish if she puts her mind to it. As Ronald Reagan once said, "There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence imagination, and wonder" (Goodreads).