The NJ PBS digital documentary series “21” examines a simple question: Does where you live in the state affect how you live? The “21” series profiles one person in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties and looks at the social determinants that affect that person’s life.
The latest film profiles Anna Baldwin, a Gloucester County native who embraced her journey with Tourette Syndrome and has been educating others since her initial diagnosis in sixth grade. Through soccer and the TOPSports program, she found refuge — a space to connect with and inspire special needs children, encouraging them to embrace their uniqueness.
“That just sets the tone for the whole week. I absolutely love it,” said Baldwin. “We meet the kids exactly where they are at. We have kids in wheelchairs, we have kids with Autism. We have athletes who are blind. And, we make sure no matter what they are still able to play that sport and be successful.”
Now as a sixth-grade teacher herself, she emphasizes the importance of focusing on the person beyond their diagnosis, giving
talks to her students about her Tourette Syndrome and how she overcomes challenges every day.
“Kids are so open-minded, and they crave that education and having that knowledge,” Baldwin said. “While technically I am a math teacher, I don’t think it should stop at just your subject area. We teach math but we also teach life skills. We teach empathy, we teach how to be kind, how to be decent people, and it’s amazing to watch the kids respond to that and actually apply it in their lives.”
Baldwin says one of her own teachers did the same for her. “My sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. King. She really set the tone for me the year I was diagnosed,” Baldwin said. “She gave me all the resources and tools I need to be successful. And so, because of that I went into education because I wanted to give that back to my students.”
Watch here.
