Neurodivergence
Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Toni Rose is joined by Melody Maitland to dive into the pressing issues of inclusive education, supporting learners with diverse needs, and the critical role of collaboration between educators, students, and caregivers.
Here are three key takeaways from this podcast episode:
Student-Centered Learning: Melody emphasizes the significance of listening to and engaging with students. She argues that empowering students to actively participate in their learning process and involving them in decision-making fosters a more inclusive and equitable educational environment, "The biggest thing is that we forget as educators about how powerful student voices are. They take more ownership... My goal in education is to build self-advocates."
Universal Design for Learning (UDL): The conversation highlights the importance of adopting UDL practices to create inclusive classrooms. By focusing on individual needs, strengths, and challenges, educators can design instruction that caters to each student's unique profile, fostering a more equitable learning experience. Melody shares, "If we're not designing with every learner in mind, how will we support the targeted and needed growth of all of our learners? It has to be designed for every single person in mind."
Meaningful Family Engagement: Both speakers stress the necessity of establishing meaningful partnerships with families and caregivers. Instead of a checklist approach, they advocate for open communication, empathy, and regular collaboration to better support students and dismantle barriers to engagement. Melody states, "We need to be asking for their feedback, insight, advice, having crossover between strategies we're using at school and home so that there's continuity."
This conversation underscores the urgency of reimagining education with a student-centric approach, embracing UDL practices, and forging authentic partnerships with families. It calls for a shift away from traditional, standardized education towards a more inclusive, responsive, and equitable model.
Discussion questions for PLC and PD:
How can educators effectively implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in their classrooms to ensure that instruction is designed with every learner in mind? What specific strategies or resources can be employed to address individual students' unique profiles and needs?
Reflecting on Melody Maitland's emphasis on student voices and self-advocacy, how can educators empower students to take a more active role in their learning journey? What practices or approaches can be adopted to encourage students to participate in decision-making and engage meaningfully in the learning process?
Building strong partnerships with families and caregivers is crucial for supporting students, but it requires more than just a checklist approach. How can educators transition from superficial interactions with parents to meaningful, ongoing collaboration? What steps can be taken to ensure that families are actively involved in their child's education, and how might this positively impact student outcomes?
Our Host
Toni Rose taught MS English for 10 years and will forever identify as a teacher. Toni Rose strives to be the teacher that she never had growing up, so she focuses on anti-bias, anti-racist work and wants to create a brave space for everyone around her. As a queer Filipinx, she understands just how important it is to be represented, be valued, and belong. She especially loves being a thought partner for and celebrating teachers.
Our Guest: Melody Maitland
Connect with Melody via email.
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