The use of UDL (the universal design for learning) in classroom instruction ensures that all students are eligible to receive the most inclusive education possible. Differentiating our instruction provides students with the opportunity to learn in ways that make them not only better students but better people. To effectively accomplish that task, we need to be integrating SEL instruction, MTSS, PBIS, and so many more. Using these different frameworks that support all students, we ensure that all students reach the goals equitably. No two students learn the material the same way so we as teachers need to encourage inclusion and collaboration. The teacher does not always need to step in to help, some of the best teachers are other students. Teachers need to create a positive learning environment as well as encourage positive behavior in our classrooms so that all students receive the best education possible. Having an inclusive culture plan, teachers have a framework of support built into their classroom environment!
Teachers need to remember that we teach how students learn, we don’t make students learn how we teach. Our class is just one of many they will take in their many years of education. Our classrooms build skills and relationships that teach more than our content. The methods we use to teach content are embedded and intertwined with skills and differentiated framework to make sure that our students get to the same place with differentiated methods. It’s not what we teach, but how we make students feel that is remembered well after our class. Teachers are not just teachers, we are our students biggest cheerleader, the one in the corner, their biggest fan. When we show we care about our students wellbeing and make them feel like a million bucks, they do too.
