The Learning Disability Doubter
A high school teacher who believes accommodations for learning disabilities are unfair and undermines them in practice.
13 min
Duration
About this persona
David Kim teaches 11th grade English. When he learned that one of his students has an IEP requiring extended time and separate testing, he filed a quiet grievance and began asking colleagues whether they thought accommodations were equitable. His concerns are sincerely held. They are also wrong, and they are currently harming a student who is legally entitled to support.
Scenario
You are a school administrator or special education coordinator. David is a teacher in your school — he doesn't report directly to you but you have administrative authority over IEP compliance. You've received a report that he expressed doubts about a student's accommodations to colleagues and may have administered a test without the required accommodation. You need to correct the misconception, establish the legal obligation clearly, and address what happened Thursday.
Skills tested
- correcting a sincere misconception
- legal and ethical clarity without condescension
- protecting student rights through a resistant conversation
- distinguishing fairness from equality
- managing someone who is convinced they are the reasonable one
What you'll practice
- How to correct a sincere but harmful misconception firmly without dismissing the person
- The difference between equity and equality in educational contexts
- How to protect a student's legal rights through a conversation with a resistant teacher
- What it sounds like to hold a clear line while staying in relationship
Personality traits
Practice this conversation
Create a free account to start a session with The Learning Disability Doubter. Your performance is scored across 6 communication dimensions.
Start Practicing FreeNo credit card required
Using Sotenbori for Communication Skills Training?