Evidence of Personal and Professional Growth
Reflective Growth as an Educator
My journey through EDUC 5130 has profoundly impacted both my professional identity and personal philosophy as an educator. Before taking this course, I understood inclusion largely in terms of differentiation and classroom-based modifications. However, I now realize that inclusive education is deeply rooted in systems thinking, social justice, and the responsibility of all stakeholders to create truly equitable learning environments.
Through readings, case studies, and class discussions, I became aware of how inclusive education requires sustained collaboration across multiple systems — something I had not considered deeply before. For example, learning from Week 6: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Interventions, I gained insight into the interconnected roles of teachers, administrators, specialists, and families. I now better understand that as a classroom teacher, I must not only teach but also lead within teams that support the whole child.
Shift in Mindset: From Equality to Equity
One of the most powerful shifts for me came through discussions in Week 2 and Week 3, where we compared the medical model, deficit model, and human rights model of disability. These models challenged my previous assumptions and made me critically reflect on how students are perceived and supported.
Previously, I may have unintentionally aligned with deficit thinking, focusing on what students lacked. Today, I view disability through a rights-based lens, where barriers exist in systems — not in students. My goal is now to dismantle these barriers and co-create inclusive spaces where all learners feel a true sense of belonging
Confidence in Inclusive Practice
This course has also given me greater confidence in navigating policy, advocating for equity, and communicating with other professionals. The Week 11 and Week 12 sessions on preservice training and measuring inclusive success helped me understand how to evaluate inclusive efforts beyond surface-level metrics. I now know how to use data, student voice, and family input to inform my teaching and advocate for improvements.
Personal and Cultural Growth
As an international educator who moved to Canada in December 2023, this course provided me with language, context, and confidence to navigate a new system. I connected deeply with content around intersectionality and systemic oppression, particularly in Week 5: Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Human Rights Processes. These lessons not only helped me reflect on policy but also on my own experiences as a newcomer — navigating language, identity, and belonging.
Furthermore, I’ve become more intentional about integrating Indigenous knowledge and land-based learning into my practice, especially after creating my Land Acknowledgement and learning from TRU’s commitments.
Overall, I have grown from being a subject-specialist teacher into a more inclusive, critical, and collaborative educator. This course has affirmed my belief that true inclusion is not simply a policy goal — it’s a moral and professional commitment. Moving forward, I will carry this mindset into every classroom, team meeting, and student interaction I am a part of.