Teacher Tales #35 – Teacher champions, vulnerability and inclusive education: Diane, educator, consultant and champion for inclusive education
In this episode, we meet Diane, an educator and speech therapist who transitioned from the classroom to start her own company of consultants that has become a champion for children and inclusive education. CMDI – Consulting that Makes a Difference, “focuses on providing professional development that celebrates diversity, promotes the inclusion of all people and supports successful outcomes for school communities, administrators, teachers, parents and students.” But Diane says that it is more than “PD” as professional development. It is also about personal development, relationships, vulnerability and figuring things out. She also emphasizes how important it is in any relationship to be a good listener, to listen with your heart, to care for and support one another, to get along, and to be honest and speak up about your needs. The school community is like a family, and if things are not going well, the “kids” always know. So, Diane’s greatest hope for all teachers is that “they see their value and strengths on their own without waiting for others to point them out to them.” Amen! So, sit back and take note as we get real about what is REALly going on both inside and outside teachers’ worlds right now. Then, we invite you to think about what YOU can do to become a better listener for ALL teachers in order to be more supportive, caring, nurturing and loving. After all, we are all part of the human family!