Inclusion and more

Many schools across the US have made history and defied odds by voting special needs students on to their schools prom or homecoming court. Below I'd like highlight a few schools Center Grove High School in Indiana recently voted JJ Kubancsek, a student with Down Syndrome as their Prom King. JJ's friend from Center Grove High's Best Buddies chapter, Claire Cross created a campaign to help JJ be named Prom King.  Pinnacle High School in Arizona voted Brandon Weschler, a student with Muscular Dystrophy Prom King. Brandon was the most popular student at Pinnacle High so his peers decided to vote him Prom King.  Westview High School in California voted Scott Shaver, a special needs student Prom King. Scott was part of Westview’s Best Buddies chapter and his mom credited Best Buddies chapter for helping him break out of his shell.  Summit High School in Tennessee students Ashlyn Anglim and Dale Burdick were voted Prom Queen and Prom King.  When they recei...

Throughout my year last year,  I had the opportunity to talk to many substitute teachers who were subbing for either Life Skills teachers or para-educators, when they were out. The substitute teachers who talk to me about how mud they loved Chaparral as a result of it being super inclusive towards the special education student as a result of having Best Buddies and Peer Leadership on campus.  One of the substitute teachers asked me about Best Buddies.  Through talking to the substitute teachers, I came to realize that not every school in the Scottsdale Unified School District is as inclusive as Chaparral.  Many schools in our district don't have as good of a special education program as Chaparral or some schools don't even have a Life Skills Center.  Arcadia High School only has a Learning Resource Center (LRC) program on campus. I really wish that EVERY school in SUSD was lucky enough to be able to have special needs students on campus. Those students are oft...

I am launching a new blog about the power of inclusive practices and why inclusion is important, as a result of one of my dads college friends suggesting I create this blog.  I have a dream that one day EVERYONE in the world will be included, disability or not.  Earlier this week, I posted a status about my dream of inclusion that was shared by two people- one friend and one family member.  Stay tuned for viewpoints about inclusion and why it is VERY important and valuable.  Also, read this blog to learn about schools and employers that are inclusive towards all people.