Inclusive Practices is an all encompassing term that includes teaching strategies, relationship-building techniques, and more. While some practices might be a habit to you, I hope to share additional practices to increase your inclusiveness in your school and community. Read below for 8 easy inclusive practices that you can put into practice tomorrow!

Understanding the type of learning disability your student has can help you begin to identify ways to differentiate content to assist with proficiency in instruction. Remember, differentiating is the process of adjusting how we deliver instruction, not changing or lessening the rigor of content for students. While this is not an exhaustive list of strategies, it is something that could assist with you getting started. Increasing your strategy tool kit as a SPEDucator can increase your ability to make your school and classroom more inclusive for all learners.

Last week, I presented my first Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) training to staff. I was initially concerned about their reception to the idea, partially due to the many changes at our school this year, but mainly because MTSS is also new to me. Building the plane as we are flying is undoubtedly the most challenging part of this implementation journey. So, designing and facilitating the training had me on edge. I felt nervous about my presentation, especially since I had to present it in front of my coach. I would have preferred to facilitate it and then tell her how it went; as Erykah Badu says, "I'm sensitive about my [work]." I couldn't help but keep glancing over at her at the end of every couple of slides, trying to read her reactions and thoughts. I say all that to say it was a great success!

I genuinely believe that all teachers are special education teachers … but we will get to that later. However, my move to New York and transition into leadership truly began my journey into understanding special education and how it plays out in charter spaces, specifically for Black and Brown kids. I wouldn’t say I was completely miserable in that position, but one of my closest friends sat in bars with me for the first month of school as I cried hysterically about how stressed, confused, and overworked I was. Regardless, I appreciate the opportunity as it showed me how special education should not be in schools.