Special educator Roslin Richard.
Credit: Special arrangement
Bengaluru: For students who may not excel in academics or sports, 46-year-old graphologist and special educator Roslin Richard has a unique approach: teaching handwriting skills to help them shine in the classroom.
A resident of Banaswadi, Roslin recently took first place in the cursive category of the 'Functional Handwriting' competition, an international contest organised by American handwriting expert and author Kate Gladstone.
Roslin believes every student is unique and deserves recognition in the classroom.
Reflecting on her journey to global recognition for a skill rarely celebrated in the age of Artificial Intelligence, Roslin shared that her father and teachers encouraged her to pursue handwriting with passion and dedication.
"As a young girl in school, my handwriting stood out. My father would give me good-quality pencils and coloured pens," she recalled. This early encouragement strengthened her belief in her talent.
"I enjoyed writing neatly and would practice on sand and rangolis. But I never imagined this talent would earn international recognition," she said.
Since joining an international school as a counsellor and special educator, Roslin has been sharing her skills with her students.
"One student, a first-generation school-goer, felt out of place and struggled with self-confidence. I taught him calligraphy and helped him write certificates. Soon, others began to admire his handwriting, describing it as 'like pearls,'" she recounted.
Since 2004, Roslin has been helping others improve their handwriting. She also works with children on the autism spectrum, using handwriting practice as a tool to enhance their focus, comprehension, and mood.
With students increasingly relying on technology for assignments and classwork, Roslin views cursive handwriting as a fading art — one that she’s determined to keep alive.