Learning from Advice: The value of inclusion in every classroom

In this episode, I talk about inclusion, inclusion in the classroom. As a new teacher, I really loved the tracking system. I loved being able to guide all of my instruction to a specific student. In my teacher training, however, learned about differentiation, students with special needs or differentiated needs. I have grown to know the difference between my ease and the beauty of students learning from each other.

 

I reference my conversation with Ellery, how great it would be if all students were able to share how they learned, having a class where we learned about how students learn differently. Differentiation is designed to help all students achieve a level of understanding in different ways, but her advice of allowing students to learn from each other sharing how they learn, the best areas of strengths, and areas of growth. 

 

I share some insights from my interview with Caroline, a student with special needs. Her advice was to include students in your classroom with special needs, especially kids with significant learning differences. In my interview with Christian, we talked about how his class encouraged me to include the students from the life skills program and allow one or two students from my mainstream classroom to go be in the life skills program.

 

Stepping outside of your comfort zone is important, especially as a teenager, and giving students that opportunity to have different experiences, and see differences in how we learn allows a student an opportunity to really grow. 

 

I have grown as a teacher. Engaging with students who learn differently from me challenges me, and I think when I, as a teacher am challenged, my students see that challenging experiences are accepted and encouraged. Life is full of challenges. Life is full of ups and downs, and we are teaching those strategies in our classroom.

 

I share how I learned so much from my interview with Kiana about her son Tristan's learning experience. I don't know that I saw students demonstrating needs through their behaviors until she shared that with me, and now I see my student's bad behaviors in a really different light.

 

I give space for that behavior and, and open up the door for a conversation. Asking what is happening in my classroom that is making it hard for you to learn. What can I do in this environment to help you learn better? All of that comes from being open to seeing that learning happens differently for each student.