One Best Thing: Forthcoming Standards for Inclusive Schools

As educators, we are in the amazing position of teaching that there is no one right way to be. The attached document provides a sneak peek into the forthcoming Standards for Inclusive Schools. Drawing on both past and future work, the full Standards for Inclusive Schools are organized under three domains: Diversity, Community, and Advocacy. For purposes of this share, the focus is on the Diversity domain. If you would like access to the full set of standards when completed, kindly reach out. 

Students will learn that identities are complex, intersectional, contextual, and fluid, and that not all identity markers are apparent.

  1. Students will learn about the communities and cultures with which they personally identify.
  2. Students will examine how their sense of self changes depending on time and context.
  3. Students will learn that all identities are valid; there is no such thing as “normal.”

A lesson is included, using self portraits to introduce students to the term of diversity — and disability as part of human diversity.

 

Black text detailing implementation of the self-portrait lesson. There is also an example self-portrait in the bottom center.

There is also a debrief and follow-up.

 

Black text on a white background, outlining the debrief and follow-up of the self-portrait lesson.

I invite you to use this lesson to begin the discussion around disability. 

  • How are you going to help all students understand the many tools they use or might benefit from, as they confront the idea of “no such thing as normal?”
  • How can teaching students about diversity, help us build more inclusive schools?
  • How can empowering students to understand various accessibility tools, help us build more inclusive schools?

I’m so excited to learn with you!

Attachments

3 replies

January 20, 2024 Language English

This is wonderful, Jordyn! 🌟 Such important and impactful work!

I love how in Part 2 of the Implementation, you give the option for students to add to and enhance their portrait with other elements (photography, audio, graphic design, video, etc.). Very much in the spirit of diversity!

Amazing work! 🙌

November 17, 2024 Language English

Very important lesson Jordyn! Good to connect disability as a diversity and to emphasize that there is no “normal” in any of us. Love the self-portrait idea and directions. Thank you!

March 12, 2026 Language English

I think it’s absolutely amazing what you have done here. I live with my fisibility every day and some days it’s a real struggle. Education has given me the foundation to believe in my self and know that if I put my mind to it anything is possible and I know I can help to inspire others and achieve my dreams while learning. Thank you so much for everything you do. I appreciate you and you have inspired me to keep learning and keep educating

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