As a retired special education teacher, an inclusive environment for learning is essential. It provides a safe and supported place where "everyone" can feel included both intellectually as well as culturally.
Life is difficult, and being a child can be incredibly difficult at times. Children deserve a classroom where they feel welcomed, respected, and included. These posters can help foster an environment of mutual respect and teach the students to be good humans. We need more good humans in the world.
As a retired educator who had similar signs in my classroom, this makes me incredibly sad and angry! Representation matters, especially in communities with little diversity.
I taught special education for almost 40 years and made my classroom and therapy room a welcoming place for everyone. It’s so important for all students to feel valued!
It is a basic tenant of school that everyone is welcome. That’s literally why public schools exist in our country. We need an educated populace down the road, and that starts with welcoming, affirming posters in classes to remind all stakeholders that all are welcome. And respected.
As a retired veteran, I served my country with other men and woman in uniform of different colors, religious beliefs and backgrounds, but what we had in common was that we were all AMERICANS, and we fought for those common America values of everyone is equal under the law. "Everyone is welcome here" is a simple but powerful statement of core American values and one shared by this veteran. "Stay the course". We are behind you all the way!!!