Professional Development

Name: Kelly Rakus

Professional Development Title: Crea ng an Inclusive Environment

Presenter: Sinead Burke and Molly Hill

Re ec on: What did you gain? How might you use this in your classroom? Etc.

I completed my professional development through work at Starbucks. Every launch, total of

seven, we complete a Third Place Discussion. These discussion touch on topics based on what is
happening in the world and how we can become a more welcoming and inclusive company. Starbucks
describes this as "The Third Place Development Series focuses on topics to help us create a warm,
welcoming and inclusive environment in our stores and o ces. With videos and discussion ques ons,
this series is designed to generate insights and help us break down our biases as we work to create more
inclusive prac ces.”

From the library of discussion we have, I picked to listen to a talk from Sinead Burke who is
medically described as a “li le person”. At the beginning on her talk, she describes her self as a li le
person. She related her view of the world to an elementary school classroom, as she was a teacher. She
explains how we have kid sized tables and desk for child and usually are posi on in a way to see
everyone and be on the same level. When teaching, I want to be on the same level as my students. To
me, this means not si ng at a desk while students are working but si ng next to them at there desk
while they work.

One thing I really gained is that as an elementary school teacher, we are able to have
conversa ons about others with disabili es. One statement Burke made was that she “shows students
everyone walks and talks the same”. I think in todays world, we walk on egg-shells on what students are
and are not able to comprehend. Sinead Burke normalized disabili es with her students. I think that is so
important. We need to show students that no ma er how someone looks, talks or acts, they are s ll just
like us in some ways.

Sinead related her experiences in schools back to a Starbucks community. In most stores, we
have high top tables and chairs. Those high tops are not accessible for all people. She asked the ques on
to the store managers in they are including everyone in there cafe. She pointed out that some hando
areas are high and she would not be able to see her drinks. She asked how can honor those people. She
makes a point to say that we need to more aware of these people coming into our community. Without
no cing them, we can not honor and make them included. This made me realize that in a classroom we
need to be aware of students with disabili es or who are struggling so we are able to include them in all
discussions and learning.




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