Carlos, Will You Please Shut-Up!

Carlos hated school, but school hated him more. He looked like a charmer. Handsome, perfect features. His dark eyes melted girls’ hearts. He was a seventh grader who could barely read or write. Many students had the same issues. What made Carlos different and annoyed his teachers were his outbursts.

In the middle of a lesson, he would just start swearing or yelling for no particular reason. Teachers believed he did it aggressively and to be disruptive. "Carlos, will you please shut-up!" was the phrase he heard most in school. He was always in trouble. He majored in the “Principal’s Office.”

One day he got lucky. There was a long-term substitute, English teacher hired mid-semester. The tenured one quit. Since school administrators have a way of giving the newest teacher the worst classroom and the unruliest students as a “Welcome to Our World” gift, Carlos was assigned Mrs. Z.

The first day, he was quiet, kept his head on the desk and refused to look at the teacher. By the second day, she engaged the students with an interesting lesson about Call of the Wild, by Jack London. Within ten minutes she had them acting out the part of Buck. Attempting to teach a new vocabulary word, she had them “crouching” down as the dog did in the book. Carlos decided this was a perfect moment to yell “crotch.”

Seventh graders love words describing body parts covered by a bathing suit and dissolved into laughter. Lesson ruined. Teacher discouraged but wiser than the one who previously walked out the door.

Mrs. Z. kept notes. Every time Carlos disrupted the classroom, made unusual movements or sounds, she wrote down circumstances and his behavior. After over two weeks, the principal was wondering what had happened to Carlos. His reserved seat had remained empty for twelve days. A miracle?

Not exactly. Mrs. Z called Carlos’ parents. She spoke perfect Spanish and explained what was going on in the classroom. The parents had refused to come to school before because they felt intimidated and didn’t understand what was wrong with their son. They tried punishment, pleading and even bribing, but nothing made a difference. They had just given up.

Mrs. Z. asked them to give permission for Carlos to be tested. She believed he had a neurological disorder called Tourette’s Syndrome which was causing his multiple tics. She also believed ADHD was part of his issues.

If a parent requests testing, a California district has fifty-five days to respond. Otherwise, it could take forever and may never happen. By the time a student reaches junior high, districts prefer to let them fall through the cracks if special needs are suspected. Very expensive to meet their needs. Pass them aloong.

As it worked out, Carlos was diagnosed not only with Tourette’s but ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and a Learning Processing Disorder. The next year, he was placed in a Special Education classroom setting. He had two teachers who worked with him independently of other students for his core classes. He was integrated into the regular classes for electives and physical education, but always had an aide with him.

The special education classes continued through high school. With support and technology, Carlos became a B Plus student! Upon graduation, Carlos headed to the local university. He hoped to be a special education teacher.

Mrs. Z. was in the bleachers the day of Carlos’ graduation. She cheered loudly when the principal called his name. Seeing him receive his diploma was the only thanks she received. But it was all a good teacher needed.

— Mugsy