In a crowded elementary school auditorium in October, two students approached the microphone to introduce the day鈥檚 guest speaker: an author who had come to read her book to the assembled students.
But this visit was different from other book talks that Hubbard Woods Elementary School in Winnetka, Ill. had hosted before. The author was a former student鈥攁nd she had come to share her new children鈥檚 book, about an experience at the school that shaped how she saw herself as a learner.
鈥淲hen I was around your age, I learned that I had a learning disability, and I was confused about what that meant,鈥� Zoe Kozina, a 12th grader at New Trier High School in Winnetka, told the crowd in the auditorium. Kozina, 17, is the author of , published this year.
In the book, based on Kozina鈥檚 own experience, 3rd grader Penelope the Panda discovers she has a math learning disability, and figures out how to navigate classes and special education services with the help of her teachers and friends.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 kind of what inspired me鈥攖hinking about you guys now, and what I felt like back then,鈥� Kozina told the students.
About 15 percent of all U.S. students receive special education services, according to federal data. Almost a third of these students have a specific learning disability, such as dyslexia鈥攚hich is characterized by difficulty in reading鈥攐r dyscalculia, which affects students鈥� ability to learn math.
In an interview with Education Week, Kozina reflected on her own elementary school experience, and offered advice for teachers and specialists who work with students with learning disabilities.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really subjective to each student, but I know for me, I wanted that space to see, OK, well, what is it that I need? What is it that I鈥檓 failing at? And having the teacher come in and fill in that bridge,鈥� Kozina said. 鈥淕iving them the chance to try things on their own, and then coming back and helping them, [it] really helped me to see that I can keep going, I can keep pushing.鈥�
Watch the full interview above.
