A Valley teacher is using her own learning disabilities to connect with students

PHOENIX – Kaitlin Moriarty, a teacher at Peralta Elementary School in Maryvale, has two learning disabilities that help her relate to struggling students.

Moriarty told KTAR News 92.3 FM that she was inspired to become a teacher by her mother, and her own experiences as a child growing up with dyscalculia and a working memory deficit. Dyscalculia is also known as “math dyslexia” and makes it hard to process numbers and math.

“I grew up with really amazing special education teachers as well as general education teachers that really supported me and helped me thrive in the classroom… So, I really just wanted to give back in the general education space,” Moriarty said.

How does the Valley teacher’s learning disabilities help her?

Moriarty explained that her own classroom experience helps her recognize when her current students may need help so she can assist.

“I can see students that struggle and I see myself in them … because I know that students are good at masking,” she said.

Moriarty is also a finalist for America’s Favorite Teacher, a nationwide contest that gives one teacher $25,000 and a school-wide assembly with celebrity scientist Bill Nye.

The teacher explained that she wants to win so she can use the funding to expand her classrooms’ seating options, adding in flex seating to make her students more comfortable.

“I do a Thursday lunch club … where any student who wants to come eat lunch with me (can), we hang out and we play Uno or we play games like that,” Moriarty said. “So, I just feel like building culture and community is really important and I think my students are deserving of this.”

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

Related

Arizona bill could pave the way for parents to sue public schools over bullying$8.4 million set to go towards bumping Arizona literacy ratesSen. Mark Kelly proposes 2 bills to support young men and grow public serviceLawsuit challenges validity of thousands of ESA reform ballot measure signaturesKimberly Yee outlines education priorities after GOP primary winMaking shopping for back-to-school supplies easier for Phoenix-area parents