MARTHA ANN STALLINGS : Lessons Learned : AN OSCAR-WINNING DOCUMENTARY REVEALS THE IMPACT A DOWN’S SYNDROME CHILD HAS ON A “NORMAL CLASSROOM”

“Educating Peter,” the 1992 Academy Award-winning short documentary, which airs on HBO Wednesday, follows third grader Peter Gwazdauskas as the Down’s syndrome child enters a “normal” classroom in Blacksburg, Va. Until then, Peter had only been in classrooms with other youngsters with disabilities. “Educating Peter” chronicles his first year at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School and the impact it had on him, his fellow students and their teacher, Martha Ann Stallings. Stallings reflects on the experience with writer Michele Willens.

Did you have any hesitation about allowing cameras in your classroom?

I must say I was a bit in shock when they asked, and I wanted to think about it for a while. My main concern was that the cameras would be intrusive and, after all, I still had children to teach. But I became convinced that this would be a worthwhile project and said, “OK, let’s go for it.”

How long and often were the cameras actually there?

They were in the classroom four different times, about five days each time. And they stayed from the time Peter got off the bus to the time he left. But the crew was very sensitive to our needs and moods. They tried to never be more than two at a time in the room, and when they saw we were having a very bad morning or needed some breathing time, they’d take a break.

How about when the school and you were first approached about taking a Down’s syndrome child in your class? Any trepidation or self-doubts?

I met his parents the previous spring at a special program at our school on “inclusion.” I later heard from Peter’s mother who asked if I’d consider taking Peter. I didn’t know if I was ready for it, even though I had taught some remedial classes in the past. Yet, as a teacher I’ve always liked change and been excited with opportunities to do something different. I was anxious about it, and yet common sense told me that this had to be a better situation for Peter.

Were you concerned--and were the other parents concerned--that educating Peter would take too educating Peter? much time away from teaching the others?

Oh yes. I met early on with the other parents to explain the situation. Surprisingly, only one parent told me she had her doubts that it could work but even she said, “I’m willing to support you.” The parents were relieved when I brought in a full-time instructional aide whose main concern was Peter. Then they knew I wasn’t doing it all. I also had my own concerns, mostly that I’d be able to teach Peter. I’d observed him in his previous self-contained school and realized his lack of educational ability. But I came to learn that was partly because he was surrounded by others just like him and the whole scene was so depressing.

During the film, we see Peter hitting the other kids a lot. Was he mostly a disciplinary problem?

The first problem was making him feel comfortable. He basically knew he didn’t fit, so his way of expressing his feelings was through misbehaving. He also needed attention and, frankly, he’s unpredictable. That’s when the whole class got together and worked out how to give Peter positive feedback and yet tell him when his behavior wasn’t right. Academics was not my concern, because I couldn’t teach him until I got his behavior under control.

What was the answer to that?

The other kids wanted to set a good example for Peter and that was very good for him. Eventually I could treat him like the others. When he did things wrong he’d have privileges taken away or have recess cut short. The normal things.

Do you have any doubts now that such children can fit into normal classrooms, that inclusion rather than mainstreaming is the solution?

I have no doubts. I haven’t seen a case yet where it hasn’t worked. A year and half ago I might not have said that, but last year ended so positively. And now he’s doing even better in the fourth grade.

How do you look back on that year, as compared to your others as a teacher?

It was my greatest academic challenge, the hardest but also the most rewarding. I learned that I could do this even though I didn’t have any special education background. What this was about was treating Peter as an individual.

Were you surprised when the film went on to win an Oscar?

I couldn’t believe at first that HBO would want to make this movie, then I couldn’t believe when it got nominated. Now we’ve come so far I’d believe anything.

Did you secretly feel like a best supporting actress?

Oh, a little, but the kids were really the stars.. Unfortunately, that night was marred a bit for us, because Peter’s older brother was killed the day before in an accident. We still celebrated but it was much more low-key.

Who learned the most last year? Peter, the other kids or yourself?

I’d probably say the children, although I certainly learned a lot. I just remember back to the first day and how nervous the other kids were. They mothered and smothered him, but they learned that that’s exactly how handicapped people don’t want to be treated. Yes, I think it was the kids around Peter who grew the most.

“Educating Peter” airs Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m. on HBO.