By Katelyn Jordan, Arizona State University, Parents2Partners intern.
Close your eyes and picture yourself as a student walking into your classroom. Do you feel included, or left out and lonely? Students feel many things throughout the school year, and feeling excluded can affect a child’s quality of life. One of the first and simplest steps toward inclusion is our language.
Inclusion has many layers
We often think of inclusion as mixing up student groups or talking about cultures during the holidays. Inclusion is like an onion: it has many layers, and it grows more powerful as you go deeper.
“Inclusion in my classroom looks like students with learning disabilities being included, rather than in a separate room,” said one third grade teacher. A fifth grade student explained, “I like my classroom because my teacher listens to me, even when it is not about math or reading.”
Practice inclusion with your words
Leaders may remind us at conferences to say “you all” instead of “you guys,” but how often do we practice it? Small changes in everyday language help every student feel included.
- With students, try: “everyone,” “we,” “you all,” “friends,” or even “party people.”
- In emails to families, try: “Hi there” or “Hi team.” Teachers, parents, and students really are one team.