My career path is all over the place. A STEM girl looking for a home. Environmental Engineer…Accountant…Math Teacher…Special Education Teacher…Math Teacher…Academic Therapist! I found my dream job. What did I learn during my travels? The 3 Best Practices for Inclusion classes. My stories come along for the ride. Recognize any of these teachers? They’re everywhere.

Inclusion is a societal ideology. The dream is to have students with disabilities learn alongside their non-disabled peers. This creates more diverse general education classes. It has the potential to add creativity, but the journey takes place down an  unknown path. It can be a rocky road.

Math 6 (The Zen Academic Therapist and the Greatest Mentor Alive)

Jane and I knew each other. Chatting at lunchtime. A brief lunchtime chat set the climate. She knew her kids. We both knew math content. What did we make? Meeting the needs of all students. Not just special ed and ESOL…all students.

Discover Universal Design for Learning.

Math 7 (The Zen Math Teacher and the Teacher Who Threatens) 

Ahhh…Students doing math. The special education students working at the back table. “TURN AROUND,” my co-teacher bellowed. “TURN AROUND.” Louder. Pam stormed across the room. I smiled and walked over. I asked, “Is that a cochlear implant?” Turning to me, he smiled. Looking back to Pam, I said. “You can stop yelling, he’s hearing impaired.” 

Know your students with disabilities, not just IEPs and 504 Plans.

Algebra 1 (Two Zen Math Geeks) 

It’s a dream come true. 6th graders with smiles. Advanced Algebra: Mark and I were setting up an action plan. We support all students, both IEPs, 504 Plans, and general education. We don’t need labels. No need to segregate pull-outs either.  Peace sign.

Both teachers/co-teachers should know the content equally.

Federal laws regulate the classroom for students with disabilities. Least restrictive environment is the line of measure. The goal is the extent appropriate in inclusion classes, students with disabilities receive instruction with their non-disabled peers.

Full inclusion allows students with disabilities in regular education classes with special support. It allows multiple means of delivery. With shared respect and empathy, teachers honor the needs of all students.

Did I experience that? Sometimes.

QUESTION: What were your experiences with inclusion?

Copyright © 2023 by Edna Brown. All Rights Reserved.

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