Limited in two of his five senses, George Stern seeks to harness his perspective to pursue teaching and improve the classroom setting for all students.
A second-year curriculum and instruction master’s student from Saint Catherine, Jamaica, Stern said his main interest in pedagogy comes from the realization that instructors’ personal methods and decisions have a significant effect on students.
“I actually decided to get my master's in education because I'm very interested in the choices that teachers and instructors make in the classroom and the impact that has on students,” Stern said.
Stern defines himself as deafblind — only able to see lights that generate heat or energy — and having to use two hearing aids. He is either with his guide dog, Galaxy, or using a cane to navigate campus and get to his classes.
Throughout his time as a student, Stern said he’s found himself to be the only deafblind individual in each of his classes. He said this perspective has shown him that what might be typical learning for one person might be completely different for another.