Top: Stella & Dot (x-small) | Jeans: Similar + similar | Earrings: J.Crew Factory (only $22!!!) | Shoes: Target
One of the most beautiful aspects of this school year is all the students without IEPs that I’ve been able to connect with. I’ve heard more times than not that special ed teachers do their own thing and live in their own little educational bubble… often times finding it hard to connect with staff and get to know people outside of their classrooms. When I was in school, I could not tell you who the sped teachers were.
Recently I realized that was one of the aspects of my school culture that I love the most– I feel equally valued in the community by students and staff. That’s got to be what has unconsciously been holding my hand through this constant state of confusion and chaos.
I know that most schools push for inclusion involves the special education teachers going into general education classrooms but I’m starting to think every one’s been doing it backwards. I moved all my SEL groups to lunch times and either myself or my students will invite a variety of different kids. Sometimes it’s kids they want to get to know, kids they are having conflict with, kids who have asked to come… but it’s working miracles for my kids, especially around a sense of belonging. It’s grown into a few more areas, but my students love being in general education classroom and mine– and so do their peers. It’s really been a win-win for all of us.
To me, a sense of belonging isn’t about being and feeling in one specific space. It’s about walking through the front doors and feeling like you are safe and belong, with the people. When we pull kids out, they might lose a sense of that overall classroom community. But when we pull-kids in, we are building another place in the building where belonging and community can happen.
I am stretched so thin this year and I feel crazy sometimes for working with so many non-IEP students too… but it’s filled my heart with so much belief and helped restore my faith in moments of lost magic. Sometimes we get so stuck in what we have learned things are, that we lose sight of the true meaning of certain concepts… like inclusion.
The way I see it– I’m included in my schools community, as are my students, and all students should be included in mine too. The world works better when we work together.
I meant for this to be a fashion post but that’s clearly not what happened. I really love this outfit a lot though 🙂 wearing light colors in autumn might be my new jammm!
But inclusion… what do you think? Am I fully becoming an overthinking educational weirdo? Maybe, ha. But that’s nothing new.
with kindness | ashley