Do You Know These People?

In 30 years of teaching writing, I’ve learned from my godchildren (above).  Do you work with any types like them?

From left:

Norine, second-born: languorous, smart, but so independent that, at age 4, a teacher thought she was learning-disabled.  Refuses to learn a bit more than she chooses.  To teach a Norine, you wait until she is motivated and let her ask the questions. 

Eddie, the youngest:  Deeply empathic; wildly athletic; dyslexic.  Understands time as “now” or “the other day.” Declines to organize anything more ambitious than a sandwich.  Will write “at gunpoint,” but only if the writing expresses his own ideas. (His idea of a great argument is that, in Julius Caesar, Brutus was an alcoholic.)  To teach him writing, I stimulate his imagination, seat him at my Mac, and then use the Mac’s text to speech so he can hear all the errors.  Likes to listen. Generous and popular.

Bill, the oldest: Introverted; pianist; smart. Took a long time to enjoy reading, but now tells his brother, “You’ve got to read so you’ll have something to say.” Passionate about music. Talks little but thinks first.  As a child, he would not write, and words seemed to come easier when his were hands busy.  Liked to be timed so he could "beat the clock."  Excellent leader of outdoor activities. A high school English teacher called him "smart, serious, and independent."

Rosaleen, third-born:  Verbally precocious, meticulous.  A social learner.  At age three, would greet me by criticizing my clothing.  Through high school, came to my house where she wrote every assignment.  Bored when she was not conversing, she made me listen to every version of each sentence she wrote.  Once she tied me down for nine solid hours until she was happy with a paper on The Great Gatsby.  You have to beg her to stop editing.  Turn it in already!

Do you recognize any of these types at your workplace?  In your family?