Teacher shares incredible backwards poem written by her 10-year-old dyslexic student

When Jane Broadis asked her year six students to write a poem, it’s unlikely she knew she’d receive such a powerful submission.

The assignment was to write a poem that could also be read backwards, teaching the kids how to asses their structure and think about how their words could have double meanings.

What one student wrote, however, was so impressive she just had to share.

On Twitter, Jane posted the poem written by the 10-year-old identified as AO. It looks a their experience with Dyslexia and how they have tried to overcome the stereotypes and expectations placed on them because of it.

On first reading, it starts: ‘I am stupid, Nobody would ever say I have a talent for words’.

However if you read from the bottom up, it says: ‘I can make it in life, Nobody could ever convince me, That I am a failure’.

The piece resonated with people in a big way, and the Tweet currently has 91,000 likes and 28,000 retweets.

It also prompted people to share their experiences of growing up dyslexic, and the treatment they received from people who didn’t understand or care.

One person said, ‘I was called stupid by my year 6 teacher. 3 years later diagnosed with Dyslexia. We just see things others can not’, while another replied saying, ‘My second grade teacher threw a paper in my face and asked if I was stupid. My parents got me dyslexia training through the Shriners. Result: 2 college degrees and a 40 year career as a journalist/writer.’

Jane shared this in the hopes that there may be a forthcoming publisher for AO, and people replied in their droves trying to help.

The pair should both be proud; AO for creating something so amazing, and Jane for amplifying the voice of this young person.