María del Mar Garriga Molina, an English teacher from Spain with achondroplasia (dwarfism), embodies the transformative power of education. She believes that teachers are 'powerful agents of change' and that her presence in the classroom introduces the acknowledgement and appreciation of diversity in the hearts of her students.
‘Every generation that leaves my classroom enters society with an additional understanding of disability—not because I specifically teach about dwarfism, but through my daily life and experiences', she shares.
Mar contributed to the British Council's research report, 'Being a Teacher with Disabilities: Perspectives, Practices, and Opportunities', and holds a vision for the future. 'I hope that in the coming years, teachers with disabilities will become the norm, not the exception.’
Feeling 'natural' about her disability, Mar states, 'I wouldn’t be who I am if I were taller'. She emphasises that the main issue stems from societal acceptance and long-standing stigmas surrounding dwarfism, particularly prevalent in Spanish and Latin cultures, where it has historically been associated with entertainers and royal courts. 'When I was younger, it was more challenging for me to navigate certain situations. However, overcoming them has made me stronger and more resilient. It doesn't mean that these challenges don't exist or impact me in certain situations.'
As a passionate, humorous, and creative vocational teacher, Mar has leveraged her stature in the classroom to her advantage. 'I always say that the relationship we create in my class differs from that of other teachers. Students feel closer to me because of my height, and I like to combine learning with fun, and not all teachers do that.’