Hopefully, you’ve read about our Inclusion Class. Several media outlets have shed light on this exciting new addition to the Meyer Center. If you missed them, visit here and here.
Last week, I had the privilege of spending a couple of hours on the inside… where the (Disney) magic happens! Well, okay, maybe it’s not actual Disney magic, but several princesses sang “Let It Go” at the top of their lungs.
Somewhere between the mini FROZEN production and the castle building, I realized something. Not one child asked who I was. They had no idea what I was doing in their classroom, and they didn’t care. From the moment I walked through the door, I was part of the group. They welcomed me into their games, their conversations, and their play as if I’d been there since day one. Pretty fitting since I was standing in the inclusion classroom.
We’ve talked about what inclusion means for all children, with or without disabilities. We’ve celebrated the opportunity for students of different abilities to learn and grow alongside one another. These children weren’t concerned about whether I belonged there. They just made room for me.
I think there’s a lesson in that for all of us.
A Little Play, A Little Learning
During my visit, I helped build a castle out of wooden blocks, met several baby dolls, and enjoyed enough princess performances to last me all year. The children read books to their babies and explored the classroom’s learning centers. I had a front row seat to their imaginations as they ran wild. Eventually, the princesses had to put their royal duties on hold. It was time for math.
Everyone gathered on the colorful classroom rug with their teacher for a hands-on-sorting activity. Colorful manipulatives were spread across the floor as the group settled into their lesson. Minutes earlier, the room had been filled with singing, storytelling, and castle construction. That is what makes this space so special. Children with and without disabilities have opportunities to experience these everyday moments together. They play together and build friendships along the way.
While the inclusion classroom represents an exciting step forward for the Meyer Center, most of what happens inside looks wonderfully ordinary.
Meet the Teachers
Behind every room full of busy school bees, are the teachers who make it all happen. Meet Mrs. Jennifer Carter and Mrs. Brandy Derrick.
Jennifer is in her fourteenth year of teaching and holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Bob Jones University. Outside the classroom, Jennifer enjoys photography, spending time with her family and trips to the beach. Having taught kindergarten through second grade, she’s especially excited about teaching K4 this year.
Brandy brings more than twenty years of classroom experience, along with paraprofessional and Early Childhood Development certifications. She enjoys spending time with her family and a good thrift-shopping adventure on the weekend.
Together, Brandy and Jennifer bring years of experience and a shared excitement for watching their students grow!
A Place to Belong
When we talk about inclusion, we focus on the importance of creating opportunities for children of all abilities to share the same classroom. That is certainly worth celebrating. My visit reminded me that inclusion is about something even bigger. It’s about belonging. It’s about making room for a new classmate, a child who learns differently, or a random grown-up who shows up with a camera in the middle of playtime. I’m convinced children understand belonging better than the rest of us.
FYI, “Let It Go” is still on repeat in my head.