Reflective Interview

Furthermore, knowledge of social disadvantage, cultural diversity, and inequality of students can broaden educators' understanding. Knowledge in these areas can be understood as forming part of the ‘hidden curriculum’. Blaise & Nuttall (2011) describe the hidden curriculum as unintentional actions which surround curriculum (p. 82). Due to the importance of the impact of factors in the hidden curriculum, it can be understood that it is critical for teachers to develop a broad understanding of the hidden curriculum so that they can be mindful while interpreting and delivering curricular experiences. Teachers need to consider the hidden curriculum to ensure children's needs are acknowledged and that a safe environment that is free from stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination is

Inclusive learning is about ensuring all your learners have the opportunity to be involved and included in the learning process. It’s also about treating all learners equally and fairly, without directly or indirectly excluding anyone. Inclusion is about attitudes as well as behaviour, as learners can be affected by

In essence, inclusive teaching means teaching in ways that do not exclude learners, accidentally or intentionally, from opportunities to learn. By inclusive we mean valuing the contribution of learners regardless of their backgrounds and value systems. It is not about providing ‘remedial’ or ‘special’ measures for certain groups of learners.

1.1. Inclusive learning is about recognising that all your students have the right to be treated equally and fairly, have the same access to all products, services and have the opportunity to be involved and included. As a teacher you need to be aware that all students are not the same as they all do not learn in the same way, the ways in which a teacher can overcome this is using the Teaching and Learning Cycle, using visual, auditory and kinaesthetic materials (VAK) and agreeing on individual learning plans (ILPs). Other features could include self reflective exercises, quizzes and providing opportunities for students to reflect on their own

I decided to interview Mrs. Seppa first because I wanted to be able to have a basis for the questions that I would ask Ms. Villalobos, who teaches in a sixth grade special education class. I noticed after reviewing and comparing responses from both teachers how much of a difference there was not only in the grade, but also the teacher. My first question was asking if they always wanted to be in the area of Special Education. I asked this because I knew I did not always see myself as a potential special education

As a teacher when delivering any lessons planned we have to make sure that each students individual needs are met, so they will feel included in the lesson. “Inclusion is about creating interesting, varied and inspiring learning opportunities for all learners, ensuring all learners contribute and are never disadvantaged by methods, language or resources” Wilson (2008).

The notion of inclusion is progressively being accepted as a vital method of learning in our growing school systems. I believe that every student, those with and without exceptionalities, have the right to be included in a general education classroom. Students with learning, social and behavioral exceptionalities or varied abilities deserve the right to be provided with the same opportunities as any other students in the regular general education classroom. The information that I have acquired through my own experiences (in my observations and my classes) have molded my goals as a future teacher. I believe that teaching and education are fundamental in getting students to grow, learn, and flourish;

The focus of this assignment is the key factors that influence inclusive teaching and learning and how it is incorporated into my specialist subject area. It is likely that you will be teaching a diverse group of students – from various backgrounds, with differing levels of prior learning and expectations, as well as different learning needs. Taking an inclusive approach when teaching will help to ensure that your teaching meets everyone’s needs enabling students to learn effectively. As a result students will feel that they belong in the classroom and learning environment. Inclusive learning means treating all of your students fairly and equally.

Everyday I am blessed to be rewarded with the opportunity to work with Special Education students. Being apart of the students lives has always been a huge part of who I am, and has been since I was a little girl. There is nothing more heartwarming than seeing the smiles on the student's faces, because of you. I work with the students during school, and outside of school. With having my own challenges, I have so much respect for who the kids are and what they go through every day. Building relationships with these amazing people is my passion, and I want to build a future in this path.

When setting up an inclusive learning environment we need to focus on individual differences. Francis and Gould (2013: p65) explain, that “it is important to recognise the differences in the learners we teach, as these influence how we interact with them.” Francis and Gould (2013) list few typical differences, like age, physical disability, mental health issues, ethnicity, etc.

Carnes I feel as though I have a better understanding of dealing with the school system from the parent’s point of view. I think doing this interview can help me to be more prepared if a child with disabilities is present in my classroom. This is actually the cause of the high point of the interview because Ms. Carnes had a surprised tone when hearing my questions because of the dedication the educational system is putting into preparing the new generation of teachers to be fully aware of any situation we may face with a student with disabilities. I feel a sense of pride knowing I can be knowledgeable in any situation may face with these special cases in the classroom. On the other hand, I was surprised by the amount of patience she has as a parent with a child with cerebral palsy. From her answers in the interview she has to face challenges parents with the average child do nor. I gave me a deep respect to the parents who face these challenges such as making sure their child receives the proper education they need. Lastly, after completion of the interview, I feel slightly more nervous about going into the teaching field. I know teaching these students I want to make sure

For my interview, I interviewed a woman by the name of Mrs. Miskell. She is a close family friend and also teaches at the elementary school that I used to attend. Mrs. Miskell has been teaching for fifteen years. She has a class of 21 including 2 special education children who are mainstreamed into her class for a few areas of study. She team-teaches one day a week with the remedial math teacher, and one day a week with the remedial reading teacher. Her children switch classes with one other class for social studies and science. In this interview, I covered her views on special education and security in today's schools.

One of the central principles of teaching is to provide learners with an environment to learn and flourish. It is upon this principle that the fundamentals of inclusive learning have been established.

Talking with Shelly and reflecting on what I know about Marie, her family, her home life, and her academics, and her strengths and challenges I now have much better grasp on what it is like working with parents who have a child with special needs in and out of the classroom. I was very pleased to hear that Marie’s school experiences have overall been positives ones throughout her elementary years. Knowing her teachers are always for her and her family inspires me to be one of them in my future career. I hope to be always be there to listen, to encourage, and to support my families, paying particular attention to those ones with special needs children.

For this assignment I was unable to ask the teachers at my normal school setting questions due to them being on vacation all this week. That being said I asked one of my favorite teachers who works at the high school I go to. This teacher's name is Claire Hickman, she is the art teacher at Bayshore High School. One of my questions asked how many years she has been in an inclusive learning environment and her answer was 13 years! That’s just 5 years short of my life time so I am sure I can learn a lot from her. I had also asked the overall composition of her classes she mentioned that each class had about 35 students ranging from grades 9 to 12. Of these 35 students 11 would be ESOL, 5 V.E. students, and 1 gifted student. I had even asked if she makes changes on her lesson plans depending on the type of student that are coming into her classroom she said yes. I asked her questions mainly pertaining to students who are ESOL and students who have disabilities. She is extremely open with her views and I knew she would make the perfect candidate to interview.