#edutooter @edutooters
I think a major failing of and tension in teacher preparation programs in the US is that we expect and demand that aspiring teachers meet the need of individual students, especially those with disabilities and whose first language isn't English. Yet we as a teacher preparation community push these same students out disproportionately.
For example, about 16-17% of students in schools have a documented disability, but fewer than 5% of teachers have a documented disability.
@ZingerLearns @edutooters Interesting—I am one of the 5%. I have noticed a significant attitude difference between myself when addressing my students with disabilities (a SPED teacher), and that of my classmates. I expect my students to have good lives and to support independence and self-advocacy; my classmates expect “inspiration.” #Disability #Education #DisabilityRights #SelfAdvocacy #WeAreNotYourInspiration #DisabilityIndependence #DisabilityJustice #edutooter
I think this is a critical point and a very important reason to ensure we have more teachers with disabilities in K-12 classrooms. There is a huge difference in understanding and interacting with students when there are more shared experiences, histories and backgrounds.
