LOL – Inclusive Education

The LOL series really got to me.

http://www.lolseries.com/

It isn’t a new concept I know that. But it is something that really tugs at something inside of me. The idea that girls need to perform for boys, that getting drunk or high and having sex or performing a sexual act is something they must do to be valued as a person. It makes me feel sick inside.

I think that as teachers we really need to value our students. And trust me when I say I am not perfect. Like normal people some students are more difficult to get along with. Personalities don’t mesh well together. But it isn’t up to us to choose. Just because we’re paid to be there doesn’t mean we get to pick and choose who we include or who we like or who we teach.

I think that to have an inclusive classroom isn’t about being perfect. It isn’t about knowing all the answer. In fact I think it is about being honest and saying you don’t. Like last week I still think it is about acknowledging that each student is an individual, like you. It is also about trying to get the students to work together to realise this. I guess what I am having trouble trying to articulate, is that our students need to feel valued because sometimes, they aren’t.

I have a student who doesnt live with her parents. She moved out of home halfway through last year when she was in year eight. She dropped out of school. She attacked her mother. She can not go near her mother. She stole cars. She was threatened with prison time. She’s smoked. Drunk. Drugs. She is a sweet intelligent child. She works well. She laughs. She is happy. Don’t get me wrong she made some massive mistakes. But they weren’t just her’s. I knew this information but failed to remember her name when I first met her (thank god I was feeling scatty!) I would never have picked it. I really like this student. But I also really respect her. She is attempting to change her life. She wants to do something about it. I don’t think this is because of me, I think I’m helping, But moving schools, living with other people who also believe in her was the biggest step.

I don’t think we can stop them from making silly mistakes, but I do think we can make them realise they’re better than the mistakes they made. Or at least for an hour a day, they can feel like someone believes in them. Like the student above someone believed and included her. Sometimes that person has to be us.

I think the inclusive school exists. I don’t think it is perfect. I don’t think it is documented. I think it is about using things like the learning by design process to create curriculum that enables the teacher to include everyone in the learning process. I think it makes connections with the students real world. I think that it is about being open to changes. And acknowledging that today I made a mistake, tomorrow I’m going to try again, if I dont get it right tomorrow, I’ll try again. And I will keep trying.