The Recipe for Real Inclusion: 9 Must-Have Ingredients

SHOW NOTES

• Click to download the transcript for Episode 30  

Key Takeaways:

• Inclusive education requires a clear definition to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• There are nine essential ingredients for creating real inclusion, and each one plays a critical role.
• Challenging behaviors should be seen as opportunities for growth and building relationships, not as reasons for exclusion.

Highlights from the Handout:

Julie’s Favorite:

• Ingredient #9: Utilizing Challenging Behaviors
  “Utilize challenging behaviors as an opportunity to create warm and safe relationships, reduce stressors, soothe systems, and nurture students' well-being.”

Kristie’s Favorite:

• Ingredient #2: Prioritize Hiring Diverse and Inclusive-Minded Leaders
  This ingredient emphasizes the importance of hiring leaders, educators, and paraprofessionals who are not only inclusive-minded but also bring a variety of experiences and perspectives.

Practical Tips:

(4:55) When establishing inclusive education, start by clearly defining what inclusion means for your school or district to ensure everyone has a shared understanding. This step helps avoid misconceptions and ensures all staff members are on the same page.

(9:10) Regularly review the nine ingredients in your current practice, identifying where you excel and where there's room for improvement. Use this as a guide to strengthen your inclusive education efforts.