Hehir Post
For this weeks reading, one key point that I took from it was to include disability as part of the schools diversity efforts. As young children, there is so much that we don't understand even though we believe we have it all figured out. Case in point, growing up, I would sit in the classroom and solely observe this one classmate of mine who at the time I deemed socially awkward. He would do things such as play with his hands while he made space noises, eat raw macaroni, make the most awkward topics the topic of his conversation and attempt to feel up on some of the other students. Students would laugh, talk about him and even form their own opinions based on the behaviors they noticed. The whispers only got worse when they had seen that during tests and quizzes, he always had a support with him that would take him out of the class to complete these assignments. To us, it was unfair. We were twelve year old students who were challenged in the same way he was, yet he was getting the help he needed and we weren't. It took a long time to realize the challenges we faced, were not the same challenges he did.
Students hear the word diversity and immediately associate it with race, culture and even gender. If educators normalized the idea of students with disabilities and had those open and honest conversations, we could enhance the amount of empathy and understanding in the classroom. Students would understand each other rather than laugh. Help rather than mock and educate rather than humiliate. This understanding of students who are neurologically different from one another can eliminate the notion that all students learn the same and require the same tools when in reality, we all have our own way of going about our learning journey.
From Jess: Tiaja - I really liked your reflection on how we, as students, often misunderstood and
ReplyDeletelabeled behaviors that were actually rooted in disabilities really highlights the
importance of empathy and understanding in the classroom. It's so true that when we
think of diversity, we often focus on race, culture, or gender, but disability is just as
important and should be part of that conversation. Your point about normalizing
discussions around disabilities in schools is crucial. If we had more open conversations
about the different ways people learn and experience the world, I believe it would
reduce the stigma and confusion that often surrounds students with disabilities. I also
love your perspective on the unique learning journeys each student has. It’s a great
reminder that every child has their own strengths, challenges, and needs and these
differences should be embraced
I loved your emphasis that students usually associate diversity with race, culture and gender rather than understanding the other things that go into truly having a diverse system/environment :)
ReplyDelete