About the Guest(s): Nicole Eredics is an elementary educator with over 15 years of experience in inclusive education. She has worked in British Columbia, Canada, where she taught children with various moderate to severe abilities in fully inclusive classrooms. Nicole is passionate about equal access to education for all children and has used her expertise to support and raise awareness for inclusive education. She is the co-host of the Inclusive Class Radio Show and regularly tweets at @inclusive_class.
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas interviews Nicole Eredics, an experienced educator in inclusive education. Nicole shares her insights and experiences from working in the fully inclusive educational system in British Columbia, Canada, and compares it to the US educational system. They discuss the differences in approach to inclusion, the challenges faced by teachers, and the importance of parental involvement. Nicole emphasizes the need for proper training and support for teachers in order to create successful inclusive classrooms. The conversation highlights the benefits of inclusive education for all students and the importance of spreading awareness and understanding of inclusive practices.
Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/jEdOgiCqLvPu2YgumaG8W2c0O00
Key Takeaways:
- The Canadian educational system prioritizes inclusive classrooms, where children with special needs are placed in regular classrooms first, and their needs are met within the school. This differs from the US system, which often has self-contained classrooms for students with special needs.
- Inclusive education requires flexibility, differentiated learning, and the ability to have children with different levels in one class. However, the emphasis on high-stakes testing and strict state standards in the US can make it challenging to implement inclusive practices.
- Parental involvement is crucial in creating successful, inclusive classrooms. Building a partnership with parents from the beginning of the school year and maintaining open communication throughout help to ensure the best outcomes for all students.
- Inclusion is a civil rights issue and benefits not only children with disabilities but also typically developing children. When done right, inclusive education provides the best possible learning environment for all students.
- The US educational system could benefit from more training and support for teachers in inclusive practices. Teachers need the resources and knowledge to effectively meet their students’ diverse needs.
Resources:
Nicole Eredics’ Twitter: @inclusive_class
Inclusive Class Radio Show: BlogTalkRadio
TASH Conference: TASH
Georgia Department of Education: Georgia DOE
To listen to the full episode and gain more insights into inclusive education and the differences between the Canadian and US systems, tune in to the Think Inclusive Podcast. Stay informed and inspired by subscribing to the podcast for future episodes.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.