Cultivating a Heart for Individuals with Diverse Needs and Exceptionalities

Topic: Cultivating a Heart for Individuals with Diverse Needs and Exceptionalities

Slavin and Schunk (2017) stated, “Intentional teachers creatively seek ways to reach each of their students. They create inclusive environments and commit to fostering learning for all. Intentional teachers serve as members of professional teams in order to collaborate to meet the needs of students with special needs” (p. 334).

The word “intentional” is very profound, because it implies that one takes the initiative to purposefully carry out a task for an intended objective. When it comes to individuals with exceptionalities and diverse needs, some individuals warmly embrace these individuals and welcome them into their classrooms while others do not for a myriad of reasons.

During this module/week you are studying about learner differences and individuals with exceptionalities. When Germany was under the Nazi regime, the phrase “life unworthy of life” (in German: “Lebensunwertes Leben”) was used since some felt that some individuals had no right to live. There were times throughout history that people felt that individuals with disabilities or diverse needs should be treated differently. When you examine the realities of history, the power of language, and the ethical or unethical behaviors surrounding caring for and educating individuals with differences, it provides a deeper understanding as to why laws have been created throughout the years to promote ethical practices and to cultivate effective learning opportunities for all individuals. It is essential for educators and future leaders to have an understanding of history, critically analyze it through a biblical lens, and determine how to approach, nurture, and educate these individuals with diverse and special needs. Review the 1968 documentary, “Suffer the Little Children: Pennhurst Pennsylvania State Home for Disabled Children.”

Regarding what happened at Pennhurst:

How does this affect you as an educator, aspiring educator, and individual now, and in what ways has your own attitude and language changed over the years?

It is a journey into the lives of a group of people who were long without a voice, but whose story is finally being told. As an educator and an individual this video makes me extremely upset. Over the years, I have definitely used some of language, with much regret. As a child, everyone used words such as “retarded”- we did not know better. I am not condoning this and I wish I could take it back. Since middle school, I have tried to use the proper language when discussing this subject. The unethical behavior seen in this documentary about the care of these individuals however, the improvements that the viewer may see after the first fifteen minutes does show a glimpse of hope on the treatment of the residents. Then again, it seems as if they only want to improve the lives of the “youngsters”. It was encouraging to see that people wanted to end the misery and corruption at Pennhurst along with that the residents knew about their deplorable conditions and wanted to “go home” or “wanted God”. Hubert Humphrey and his wife were trying to help these individuals to receive more rights, which would eventually become the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They believe that some tender loving care and “training” (which is not the proper word but was when the documentary was made)that these peoples could live amongst others, which is what I somewhat believe I believe that if you believe in others they will believe in themselves and that the tender loving care that you give a person helps them more than anything else.

What is a biblical approach to welcoming, nurturing, and educating learners with diverse needs or exceptionalities that you can intentionally apply in your own life?

I would definitely look at bible verses to remind me that everyone- including those with diverse needs and exceptionalities need time to learn. I think that the verse “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26, New International Version (NIV)). I think that in times of hardship that this verse would remind me that God is with my class and that he will guide us and help us to have a successful school year. I would remind myself that with love and faith that everything will be okay. I also think that 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 guides me when it comes to teaching and daily life: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV). With going through most of my educational career with an individualized education plan (IEP) I understand some of the hardships on a personal level for both the student and now as a teacher.

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