Inclusion is never a linear process, but progress is being made at Salem High School and in the community.
To help better understand inclusion, Donna Albrecht, a professor at IUS who focuses on inclusion and has been teaching for more than 38 years, shared her insights. Albrecht is the director of graduate studies in education and of the New Neighbors Education Center. She explained the meaning of inclusion, and how students and teachers can strive to improve regarding the topic.
“I teach English as a new language and gifted and talented/high ability. In all of those areas, I endeavor to not only be inclusive with my students, but also to teach them strategies for creating an inclusive classroom themselves,” said Albrecht.
She went on to explain that inclusion is where we learn to understand, appreciate and embrace differences as a positive way to move society forward.
“I think ignorance and lack of exposure to people who are different from us are major factors that prevent inclusion,” said Albrecht.
She elaborated and said that when we don’t have exposure to others, we tend to fall back on stereotypes and be more critical of differences rather than embracing difference as an asset.
“I think that humans fall into a pattern of ”us’ and ‘them’, and thinking that probably stems back from very early days when we had to keep our clan/tribe together to ward off danger. I think in our times we keep this going because we are all competing for the same resources,” Albrecht said.
Inclusion goes beyond tolerance. According to Albrecht, tolerance is a term that we used to use almost a decade ago.
“Everyone wanted to be tolerant of others. Tolerance is not inclusion, it is the bottom level to start being open minded to others,” Albrecht said.
Students and teachers can encourage inclusion through getting to know each other.
“Ask questions, listen, learn. Represent the different cultures, backgrounds, languages and anything else that makes us different in the classroom,” Albrecht said.
She encourages giving everyone a voice to be heard and great support groups for those who have been left behind in the past.
“We can work on these things, but it will always be a journey. We need to be dedicated to taking that journey, asking questions and apologizing when we have made a mistake,” Albrecht said.
Angela Phipps, the Lions Unified sponsor, spoke about the importance of inclusion and its value at Salem High School.
Phipps said,“Inclusion makes everyone's lives richer. Everyone has the same needs to be included, accepted and respected for who they are. When people can be seen not by their differences, but by their strengths, it helps us all.”
Stereotypes, ignorance and sometimes fear are the biggest obstacles Phipps tends to see with inclusion.
“People often are uncomfortable with things they don't understand. I believe early inclusion programs in preschool and elementary schools are important,” Phipps said.
Phipps has seen a positive change over the years at SHS, but explained that there is always room for growth and improvement.
“Building relationships and opening opportunities to spend time with new people is important. I'm extremely proud of SHS and the support given to groups like Special Olympics and Lions Unified,” Phipps said.
Lions Unified officer Maggie Gibson, spoke about inclusion and how joining Lions Unified has made a difference.
“Lions Unified has created new opportunities for students who want to get involved and become more inclusive,” said Gibson, adding that Lions Unified plays a role in Special Olympics and other sports activities, pushing for inclusion within all athletes and people.