Inside an Inclusive Classroom: How Two Teachers Work Together

Summary

The transcript highlights a pilot program at PS15 in Brooklyn, focusing on inclusive education for children with intellectual and multiple disabilities. The program integrates these children with neurotypical peers, fostering mutual understanding and empathy. The speaker, a teacher, emphasizes the importance of social-emotional learning, especially after the pandemic, and the value of teaching children to appreciate differences. The program, although unique, faces challenges related to resource allocation and accessibility, with the teacher advocating for more equitable expansion across New York City. The passion for teaching and working with children, despite challenges, is the core motivator for the educator.

Takeaways

• 😀 The class at PS15 in Brooklyn has a diverse population of learners with different abilities.
• 😀 The pilot program, Aces ICT, integrates children with intellectual and multiple disabilities into a general education environment.
• 😀 This integration allows neurotypical peers to interact with children who have different needs and abilities, promoting empathy and understanding.
• 😀 Social-emotional learning has become a major focus, especially post-pandemic, helping children navigate emotions and social skills.
• 😀 The program helps students develop empathy for peers with varying abilities and appreciates the value of differences.
• 😀 As a pilot program, there is hope for expansion across New York City to make the program more accessible and equitable.
• 😀 There is a need for more inclusive programs throughout New York City, especially in areas with limited resources.
• 😀 Teachers are encouraged to understand their personal values and non-negotiables before pursuing a teaching career, as each school setting can be vastly different.
• 😀 Research is crucial when entering the education field, especially when considering special education, which is in constant demand for great teachers.
• 😀 The motivation for teaching comes from working with children, learning about their individual needs, and witnessing their growth and progress.

Q & A

What is the focus of the ACS ICT pilot program?

The ACS ICT pilot program focuses on integrating children with intellectual and multiple disabilities into a general education population, offering them exposure to neurotypical peers and vice versa.

How does the ACS ICT program differ from traditional programs for children with intellectual disabilities?

Unlike traditional programs, where children with intellectual disabilities are placed in separate districts, ACS ICT integrates them into a general education environment alongside neurotypical peers.

What benefits does inclusion bring to neurotypical students in the ACS ICT program?

Neurotypical students benefit from exposure to peers with different abilities, which fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of diverse needs and experiences.

What improvements have been seen in recent years regarding inclusive education in New York City?

There have been significant improvements in inclusive education, particularly in New York City schools. The inclusion of children with different needs in general education classrooms has expanded, with a renewed focus on social-emotional learning.

What is the role of social-emotional learning in the ACS ICT program?

Social-emotional learning is crucial in the ACS ICT program, helping students develop empathy, understand social dynamics, and build relationships across different ability levels.

How has the pandemic affected the need for social-emotional learning?

The pandemic highlighted the need for social-emotional learning, as students struggled with emotional deficits and social pragmatics after the isolation caused by COVID-19. This learning is now a renewed focus in many educational programs.

What would be the impact of expanding the ACS ICT program to other schools?

Expanding the ACS ICT program to other schools would make the inclusion model more sustainable and equitable, providing better access to resources and ensuring that more children across New York City benefit from inclusive education.

What challenges does the ACS ICT program face due to being part of a large school system?

As part of a large school system, the ACS ICT program faces challenges in acquiring resources quickly, which can impact the pacing and reliability of the program’s expansion and sustainability.

What advice does the speaker give to individuals interested in becoming teachers?

The speaker advises potential teachers to understand their own non-negotiables, conduct thorough research about different school environments, and consider special education, which has a constant need for passionate educators.

What motivates the speaker to continue in the teaching profession?

The speaker is motivated by the opportunity to work with children, getting to know their personalities, and helping them grow emotionally and academically, despite the challenges of the job such as paperwork.