Deb you made agreat piont about teachers do not have an option to co-exist it just happens. I think sometimes it is harder to communicate with teachers who have been in the field for so long. There are so many changes that have happened since they were in school! Somtimes, as bad as it sounds, these teachers will not budge on thier views and there is nothing that can be said to change their viewpiont. We just need to treat them with respect and hopfully they can see you and how you teach in a different light.

Jennifer

Deb, I had a similar experience about 5 years ago where a teacher told me that his student was in special education self contained in 12th grade and would never learn to read (he had tried EVERYTHING) he claimed.  9 months later the mother came to me and said that for the first time her son read a menu at the restaurant and ordered something other than chicken nuggets.  I saw the special ed teacher about a year later at an IEP for a different student and my how the table had turned.  He was much more careful with his language!  I guess if we are passionate about our careers we can change through others seeing our passion and how successful we can be!

Lead by example, right?

Deb, thank you for your insightful blog.  I deal with ignorance on a daily basis when it comes to my son.  He has Autism Spectrum Disorder.  It frustrates me to no end that so many people will claim ignorance instead of the desire to be educated.  I used to get very angry and a couple of times I verbally lashed out at people in public places (Bed, Bath & Beyond).  However, time heals all wounds and I now practice "teachable moments."  I appreciate your willingness to educate others and to strive for co-existence.  It's a heck of a battle, but one that can be won.

Jen Evans

Deb,
Enlightenment comes from curiosity. Your friend's negative belief about special education must be grounded in past experience. I wonder if you would ask her some questions about why she feels that way about students who have disabilities? Do you think her experience in her own classroom was one where she did not get the support that she needed? I definitely think this is a conversation worth continuing at a later date. If you respect your friend as much as you say you do I think it is worth challenging her ideals on this one. Not that you have to win her over to your side, but maybe you can spark a sense of curiosity in her.

Good Luck,

Holli Weaver

It can be so tough when someone you admire and trust so much doesn't live up to your expectations. I have a hard time when people group anyone into groups like that, saying "those kids" or "that culture" etc and it is not always that cut and dry. There are so many different types of learning and physical disabilities, it is not easy to say who can manage in an inclusion classroom and who cannot. It sounds like she has had some tough memories of having special education children in the classroom.