James Barden - Setting the Stage for Students to Shine

James Barden of Huntington, Massachusetts lost his hearing at 13 ½ months after a near-fatal battle with pneumococcal meningitis. Despite his positive recovery from the illness, he quickly became frustrated with his lack of ability to communicate. “He became an angry little kid who would scream and hold his breath until he passed out,” said his mother, Louise.

Fortunately, Louise and her husband Rob knew they had a valuable local resource at Clarke and began attending family sessions in Northampton with an early intervention specialist, learning ways they could help James develop his speech and language. James successfully progressed to preschool and kindergarten at Clarke, learning to listen, talk, read, write and complete academic work at grade level, while gaining confidence and developing close friendships with other students. By fourth grade, he was ready to enter his local public school, and with Clarke’s help, made a smooth transition into the classroom.

Fast forward seven years – James is now 17 (*see update below) and in his second year at Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, Massachusetts; a unique program for students who are ready to begin college early. James enrolled at Simon’s Rock after completing his sophomore year of high school and is very active in college and community activities, serving as a Peer Advocate and Treasurer of the College Democrats.

Even now, James, who uses two cochlear implants, remembers what an important part Clarke played at a critical time in his life. “I have very warm feelings for Clarke,” James said. “At Clarke, I felt like my teachers were active participants in my learning, rather than lone, scary, authority figures. I was comfortable in knowing that I was supported. I realize now that Clarke set the standards for me in what I want in an education.”

“Clarke also taught me socially. Whether it was the dynamics of the dining room or getting along on the playground, I left Clarke equipped with the social skills that I needed and still use today.”

James has used his strong communication skills and his knack for interacting with different kinds of people to conduct impressive diversity outreach work. He volunteered at a soup kitchen in Harlem on his winter break and was elected Student Liaison for the Black Student Union, a club that promotes awareness and acceptance of diversity on campus. James also won an essay contest which allowed him to participate in the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education in Orlando.

But James is not the only member of his family whose life was dramatically changed by Clarke. James’s mother, Louise, graduated from the Smith College / Clarke Graduate Program in Teacher Education in 2004. She has been teaching at Clarke in Northampton ever since and loves working with new teachers-in-training in her classroom.

“Students at Clarke evolve through an amazing variety of phases of learning and development as they experience their world,” said Louise. “As I teach them, they in turn communicate to me what they know.   It is wonderful that this happens at Clarke, where communication was the priority for James, and is for many more children and adults.”

“Clarke is a place where students get a personalized education,” said James. “It's a safe, comfortable, aware, and conducive environment for learning. I remember everyone playing a part in my education. I remember my teachers, speech therapists, even the secretaries and administrators. That community is what makes Clarke so special and outstanding.”

Update, April 2010

James, now 18, received his Associate's degree from Bard College at Simon's Rock in May 2009, and transferred to UMass Amherst.  He is currently a junior at UMass and expects to receive his Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 2011.

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