Teacher Inspires Deaf Students To Win

Apparently, Asume "Zoom" Bakari has the perfect nickname for someone who has quickly sent his students' learning curve to new heights.

In the year since he first came to the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf and introduced them to robotics, they students have become the first all-deaf team to place in a top slot at a FIRST Robotics Competition in Georgia.

The entry by the Deaf-Bots came in second in the Research Category.

"I'm so awed and amazed at what they've done," Bakari exclaims.

Bakari, a veteran educator who has taught hearing students, decided he wanted a career change when he turned fifty a few years ago and went back to school to learn how to teach deaf students.

His new passion may come from years of watching his mom teach special needs students. He also has a sister who had a hearing problem. As for his interest in education, that may also come from his father who is also a teacher.

 

Initially, the students seemed uninterested in robotics, then lead programmer, Andrew Brown, a senior, took to the challenge and excited everyone else.

 

"I was ready to be there. I was ready to be there among our hearing peers and take on the compassion and be proud of what we had done," Andrew explains.

That pride and skill led to the "deaf bots" coming in second in the research category.

"We could not believe when we placed. And, they brought us this trophy. Seriously, people were crying. Alex and Andrew were hugging and crying. They were hi-fiving. It was awesome. Not me. I was cool. It was awesome," explains Anthony Dowells.

 

For Bakari, the win confirmed that as a longtime educator, he'd made the right career move in deciding to teach deaf students.

 

"We all love Mr. Bakari and the reason is he's taught us something so exciting and he teaches us so enthusiastically and the program has grown," shares Andrew.

 

 

"I enjoy Mr. Bakari's teaching, it was something that I thought it was really going to be overwhelming. I mean, look at the technology behind robotics, but I learned it and I'm enjoying myself," Anthony explains.

 

"The students are so... They want it. They want it. They want it. Teach more! I have a waiting list now for students who want to get into my class," shares an amazed Bakari.

 

"Oh man, it's been tremendous and I love it. I love it," Bakari exclaims.

 

 

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