Archive for September 2015
Could Moondoggie Have Imagined Adaptive Surfing?
It was a beautiful, sunny Friday in San Diego. It was uncomfortably warm in our KIT HQ (we don’t have AC). We heard about the inaugural International Adaptive Surfing Championships taking place just up the road in La Jolla. I grabbed a few game Inclusionistas and we hit the road. And, boy, were we glad…
Read MoreBroadway Star Uses Voice for Inclusion
Late last week, I came across a New York Times article that told the story of a Broadway star who spoke up for inclusion. During a matinee performance of his show, “The King and I,” a child with autism became disruptive. After hearing so many other audience members complaining loudly, saying things like, “Why would…
Read MoreThe Power of Discussion
I’ve been feeling pretty nervous about inclusion lately. You may have read in the past that I am a special education teacher. This year, I’m teaching all English support– two blocks of co-taught class and one block of “self-contained” (or as my school and I call it, “separate class,” because self-contained sounds so icky). I’ve decided…
Read MoreA Magical Tour of a Magical Place
Note: This isn’t exactly an “In Short” post, but I hope you enjoy anyway! I have a lot to say about this wonderful playground. This week I had the absolute pleasure of visiting the Magical Bridge playground in Palo Alto, CA. I’d been so eager to do this since I learned of its opening last…
Read More“They Didn’t Like Me”
Last week, I gave one of my first assignments to my English class– asking students to write a letter to their teachers, outlining their goals for this year and describing last year’s experience in school. One of the new students, who is new to our school this year, wrote, “At my old school, all of…
Read MoreMy Biggest Fear
This week, we are proud to be able to share with you a touching story from Hillary Savoie, mother of Esme and author of The Cute Syndrome. In this post, she writes about a conversation with a stranger that left a lasting impact. The receptionist on the telephone is helpful as I try desperately to…
Read MoreAnd Another School Year Begins…
Tomorrow marks the start of the next school year– my second year of teaching. Though I would not want to repeat my first year, I am a bit envious of my one-year-ago self. She was about to embark on the most inspiring an powerful journey, during which she would meet students and families who would…
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