Abby Wierenga

Professor Steenstra
Education 202
Self Reflection 2
In class we have been talking a lot about inclusion. I have always been a huge
supporter of inclusion and continuing to talk about it in class my opinion on it has
solidified. We watched a movie on a couple students who have disabilities and and how
inclusion has benefited them. This movie brought another aha moment for me.
Seeing these kids so happy and hearing how much they were benefited by inclusion
made me realize that inclusion is really what I believe in. As I watched the movie and
was touched by these students and parents stories I knew that I wanted to be a part of
an inclusive school. One Bible verse kept coming to mind as I continued to think about
inclusion, Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor
free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ. I like that verse
and how it relates to inclusion. Inclusion is about celebrating peoples differences and
becoming one body which works together. Of course there are some significant
differences that need to be considered, but if well implied into a school inclusion will
celebrate those differences.
For me going to an inclusive school all my life has really shaped who I am. I may
have not come to know my passion for those with disabilities if I wasnt at an inclusive
school. The schools that I went to, and go to now, celebrate the differences that each
student brings to the community and works to include each and every one of them. I
have grown to embrace these students and see them for who they truly are, fearfully
and wonderfully made children of God. I hope as a teacher that someday I can help my
students to see this just as clearly as I have. My teachers influenced me by helping me
to be compassionate to them and accepting their differences and treating them as
equals. I love hanging out with people who are different and I love being able to include
them in every day activities and in school. I am very excited to be in a inclusive school
someday and this class has just made me more excited