Once in a while a fantastic opportunity presents itself that can be a true benefit to the entire school community. Last year we had Rachel's Challenge. This year it's Including Samuel, a documentary about the importance and difficulties of inclusion (previously called "mainstreaming," this is including students with educational, physical, and/or mental challenges in the traditional classroom setting). Dan Habib, the journalist responsible for this amazing film, found this situation a reality when his son, Samuel, was born with cerebral palsy. He and his family wondered if Samuel would ever be able to exist in the world in the way they had always taken for granted. Including Samuel chronicals his journey, as well as the stories of some other adults and children who have faced similar questions and decisions about schooling. This is not just the story of a child with a disability; it is a reminder of what we can all learn and do with a bit of patience and understanding.For more information on the film, please visit the official website, www.includingsamuel.com. Please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments here. We will pass them along to Mr. Habib and Samuel.
3 comments:
I recently had the opportunity to reflect on the school climate at Profile for an association of teachers and parents in France . It appeared to me that the existing modes of inclusion contribute to the positive climate as well as to the whole educational process. They are part of the educational process because they benefit everyone, including mainstream students, and, in fact, society as a whole. Mainstream students develop adaptive skills, which are both highly transferable and important to have in a global, multicultural and multifaceted adult world, as a result of various daily opportunities they have to interact with special needs students. Adaptation is a key factor in this world, more than it has ever been before in the course of history. It is fundamental to be aware of and to communicate and interact through and beyond differences during the formative years of one’s life. One should also consider the positive impact on character building, as the daily interactions allow first hand experience that differences of any sort between human beings only exist on the background of our common human identity.
In France , the school system does not consider inclusion as part of its mission, whereas, this type of segregation is gradually disappearing in the rest of society. In my discussions with French educators and parents, there was a fear that inclusion would only add to the numerous problems already plaguing the system. Of course, it is not a solution to these problems; however, my years at Profile have proved to me that the models of inclusion deployed here greatly benefit the school climate. A good school climate is absolutely necessary for the good operation of a school and the fulfillment of its educational mission. The idea that it is diverting resources of a school is simply based on an obsolete understanding of what is education about, specifically, and an underestimation of the function of today’s schools as the primary places of socialization. An African proverb says, “it takes a village to make a man.” A diverse educational environment, as diverse as life itself is, and where educators consciously foster adaptation and openness to this diversity, is this village.
Jude
I have a sister-in-law with cerebral palsy. My thought as I watched this movie was, wow, any of us would be incredibly lucky to have such parents: brave, determined, generous, creative, loving, and tireless. They are the really special people here.
I would be interested in knowing any further initiatives taking place at Profile to promote and support inclusion. Knowing that my children saw the movie at school gave me the opportunity to talk with them about a subject they don't hear enough about. I was glad that Profile took the initiative and hope that there are more opportunities for students to think about differences and learn tolerance, kindness, and compassion not just at home but in the larger community as well.
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