7 . In the late 1990s, a family visited the public elementary school where I taught deaf students. They said they would be moving to the district and planned to enroll (报名) their deaf daughter as a first grader. They were upset that their child’s kindergarten teacher Jane cautioned them not to have high hopes for her academically. Based upon assessment results, the teacher painted a discouraging picture for their little girl’s future. Standing behind them was Fiona, a beautiful five-year -old with long shiny brown hair and dark flashing eyes. The whole time her parents were there she didn’t make a sound or use sign language, even when her parents encouraged her.

After a few weeks with Fiona, I discovered I was dealing with a very bright, very strong-willed child. Although I was able to engage her in a variety of learning activities, writing was a continual struggle. I tried all kinds of ways to interest her in writing. Every time the pencils came out, she would shut down and refuse to participate.

One day Fiona got off her bus and stood in front of the school, weeping. The staff members present did not know enough sign language to ask her why she was crying. Finally they took her into the office where they handed her a pen and notepad. Fiona wrote: “PAC BAK”. Immediately the office staff realized she left her backpack on the bus. They asked the bus to come back to school and soon Fiona was reunited with her backpack.

That day Fiona discovered the power of the pen. From then on, she had a new appreciation for writing. She is a young woman now and has become an excellent writer, public speaker and student leader. During her senior year in high school, Fiona became the Douglas County Rodeo Queen and the following year she enrolled at the University of Northern Colorado, determined to become a teacher. In the summer of 2008, I traveled to the National Association of the Deaf Conference in New Orleans and watched her perform competitively as Miss Deaf Colorado. Fiona keeps in touch and I especially treasure her e-mails with term papers attached. This young lady has a very powerful pen!