Focus Question #4: Inclusive Education-Diversity & Difference

All of the teachers at the Albert Community School honored inclusive education practices. The physical education teacher was inclusive by being compatible with different learning styles. For example, while teaching her students about how to play dodgeball, the teacher first drew her instructions on the board. She also taught this game by using a video for students who learn best through visuals. These methods were useful because the children were able to apply her instructions in the gymnasium. Furthermore, some of the students were making errors in the dodgeball game. Instead of calling out one particular student or giving one of them a time out, the teacher was inclusive by correcting and re-educating all of the children.

The grade 6 / 7 teacher was inclusive by having conversations with all of her students. As the children were entering her classroom, she interacted with them by asking questions (i.e. How was your day? Do you have any plans for the weekend?). In a similar fashion, I honor inclusive educationa practices within my workplace. For example, one of my responsibilities is to take attendance of students entering the building, and while doing so, I ask them questions (i.e. How is school? Are you looking forward to the holidays?). This is helpful because it enabled me to have healthy conversations and build bridges with the students.

During my K-12, I saw that the needs of EAL learners were satisfied through the use of special needs classrooms. This was useful because they gained strong grammar and punctuation skills in the English language, and were provided with studying habits. I also meet the needs of EAL learners within my workplace. For example, I am required to support every student by expanding their vocabulary through worksheets, using flashcards, and images to give the child a better understanding of key terms. This support is helpful because the students will become independent.

The teachers and administrators at the Albert Community School honoured diversity within their classrooms through equality, that is, the process of ensuring that all indiviudals have equal chances. On my first field day, I was told by staff members that a majority of their students face financial difficulties. Therefore, they use a Dream Broker, whose purpose is to register students in extracurricular activities, pay for them, and drive the children to their events. A time I honoured diversity at the school was when I participated in a “Books and Bannock” event. Furthermore, during my third day at the school, the grade 6 / 7 teacher requested me to pick one group and read short stories with them. After completing this task, I kindly requested to read and discuss the short stories with several groups. This support was helpful because I gave back to the community and everybody engaged in learning.