As your (or your student's) educator, I would like you to know that a big part of my Philosophy of Education includes my stance on Inclusive Teaching and Learning
Through my knowledge of special education, the word include means something a little bit different. It is defined as “a strategy for accommodating students with special needs in the general education classroom.” Teachers have to take the word “strategy” into consideration. It’s up to them to think of ways to make the students with special needs to feel like they belong. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. Not all teachers believe in the professional term inclusive practices, or “the belief that students with disabilities should be integrated into general education classrooms whether or not they can meet traditional curricular standards and should be full members of those classrooms.”
I think that some teachers not only don’t believe in inclusive practices, but simply just do not obtain the patience or the open mind that other teachers have in regards to this “issue.” I also feel that current teachers do not have the background knowledge that future teachers are learning about in school today. Many things have changed over the years in the world of teaching and in the preparation of becoming a teacher. Nowadays, teacher candidates are taught about special needs students and strategies to accommodate for those types of students. Teacher candidates are also exposed to being in the shoes of a special needs student and what they can do to change those feelings into positive ones.
Another reason why inclusive teaching might be hard could be that some students might not be as accepting as others. Bullying is a big problem within many school systems throughout the country and personally, I don’t believe that it will ever completely stop. The truth is some kids can be brutal to other kids and unfortunately; sometimes special needs students could be a target for these bullies. Finding ways for these bullies to get along with potential types of people that they pick on is a difficult task but, what it comes down to is that, attempts need to be made.
With inclusive learning, I believe that it is the right thing to do and the best way for students with special needs to learn. With these types of students being in general education classrooms, they can feel like they are accepted. Instead of just putting all the special needs students with other special needs students and exiling them from the rest of their classmates, give them a chance. Give them a chance to show what they can do in a general education classroom, give them a chance to show teachers who they really are and what they are capable of. Exiling them lowers their confidence, makes them feel limited and does not let them grow as a person. From my perspective, I feel that they want to live the most normal life that they possibly can. Every kid wants to be included, so why should we discriminate special needs students? Special needs students are people too and every person should have a say in what they want and have a chance to be the best person that they can be and live the best life they possibly can.
Consequently, I am a strong believer in inclusive teaching as well as inclusive learning. I think that the students and the teachers can learn a lot from special needs students (i.e. patience, acceptance, not to judge, etc.) and of course the special needs students can learn a lot from being in a general education classroom and can expand their capabilities and really spread their wings and soar as a person. Everyone can work and learn together as one and can make the classroom world a better place.
I think that some teachers not only don’t believe in inclusive practices, but simply just do not obtain the patience or the open mind that other teachers have in regards to this “issue.” I also feel that current teachers do not have the background knowledge that future teachers are learning about in school today. Many things have changed over the years in the world of teaching and in the preparation of becoming a teacher. Nowadays, teacher candidates are taught about special needs students and strategies to accommodate for those types of students. Teacher candidates are also exposed to being in the shoes of a special needs student and what they can do to change those feelings into positive ones.
Another reason why inclusive teaching might be hard could be that some students might not be as accepting as others. Bullying is a big problem within many school systems throughout the country and personally, I don’t believe that it will ever completely stop. The truth is some kids can be brutal to other kids and unfortunately; sometimes special needs students could be a target for these bullies. Finding ways for these bullies to get along with potential types of people that they pick on is a difficult task but, what it comes down to is that, attempts need to be made.
With inclusive learning, I believe that it is the right thing to do and the best way for students with special needs to learn. With these types of students being in general education classrooms, they can feel like they are accepted. Instead of just putting all the special needs students with other special needs students and exiling them from the rest of their classmates, give them a chance. Give them a chance to show what they can do in a general education classroom, give them a chance to show teachers who they really are and what they are capable of. Exiling them lowers their confidence, makes them feel limited and does not let them grow as a person. From my perspective, I feel that they want to live the most normal life that they possibly can. Every kid wants to be included, so why should we discriminate special needs students? Special needs students are people too and every person should have a say in what they want and have a chance to be the best person that they can be and live the best life they possibly can.
Consequently, I am a strong believer in inclusive teaching as well as inclusive learning. I think that the students and the teachers can learn a lot from special needs students (i.e. patience, acceptance, not to judge, etc.) and of course the special needs students can learn a lot from being in a general education classroom and can expand their capabilities and really spread their wings and soar as a person. Everyone can work and learn together as one and can make the classroom world a better place.