All Teachers are Special Education Teachers
As educators, we have a responsibility to support and empower all students, including those with disabilities and diverse learning needs. Disability and neurodiversity are natural parts of the human experience, and inclusive education benefits everyone by promoting empathy, understanding, and acceptance. In today’s diverse learning environment, educators must be equipped and prepared to support students with disabilities and diverse learning needs. The changing landscape of education technology requires educators to engage in professional learning to effectively support students with diverse needs by leveraging tools and resources available to foster student-centered learning.
At Moreland University, we’re committed to preparing educators to create inclusive classrooms where all students thrive. We believe that all teachers are special education teachers. Faculty members in our online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program and our Master’s Degree in Education programs are expert educators who equip, enable, and empower teachers to go into any learning environment to diagnose students’ needs and create responsive learning experiences.
Our Master’s Degree in Education with Special Education focus, for example, deepens educators’ knowledge of how to apply appropriate psychoeducational interventions for children and youth with special needs. Educators develop the ability to plan instruction for students with mild to moderate disabilities while adhering to laws and policies governing special education services.
Recently, we hosted a webinar on, “Inclusive Education in the AI Era: Supporting Students with Special Needs in 2023-24 and Beyond,” where our faculty discussed best practices and strategies to create an inclusive learning environment. During this webinar, professors from our Master’s Degree in Education with Special Education focus discussed best practices and strategies to support students with special needs using innovative educational technology.
Dr. Lynn Beal, Moreland University’s director of curriculum and instruction, reminds us that every student is unique in their neurological processing patterns, and therefore every teacher is a teacher of students with exceptional needs. “Just like snowflakes and fingerprints are unique, so is each student’s neurological processing pattern. Every person has different strengths and challenges. As a result of our students’ neurodivergence, we are all teachers of students with exceptional needs.” As educators, we must consider the different methods in which students learn best and their ability to make conceptual connections. By embracing the idea that all teachers are special education teachers, we can create inclusive classrooms where all students feel valued, respected, and supported.
“…every student is unique in their neurological processing patterns, and therefore every teacher is a teacher of students with exceptional needs.”
Dr. Lynn Beal, Moreland University’s director of curriculum and instruction
Inclusive education fosters empathy, promotes a sense of community, and enhances the learning experience for everyone. As we move further into the AI era of education, it is more important than ever for educators to engage in professional learning and equip themselves with the skills and tools to support all students. At Moreland University, we believe that all teachers are special education teachers, and it is our responsibility to create an inclusive learning environment that benefits all.
As you pursue your professional development goals and seek to enhance your practice, we invite you to learn more about our programs by attending an information session where you can talk to alumni, faculty, and representatives from our admissions department.
