by J-Roel Semilla
Sharing advocacy of empowering educators in promoting a quality and inclusive learning environment for the Filipino youth, Teacher’s Gallery Programs Consultant and a Retired DepEd Supervisor, Dr. Serry Vargas, together with Teacher Liza Duyao – TTG Programs Manager and with the collaboration of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) College of Education, headed by their College Dean, Dr. Amy Buan., delivered a free seminar on inclusive education for Pre-Service and In-Service Teachers with the theme Teaching With No Limits: An Introduction to Inclusive Education Focusing on Learners with Disabilities last January 13 – 14, 2020 at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City
The 2-day seminar was partaken by 306 Pre-Service Teachers from MSU-IIT, College of Education and 63 In-Service teachers from the different public schools in Iligan and faculty members of MSU-IIT.
Topics discussed on the said activity were the legal bases of Inclusive education, concept of disability and Impairment, barriers to inclusion, classroom strategies in handling learners with disabilities and common indicators of learners such as Autism, ADHD/ADD, Intellectual Disability, Learning Disability, Sensory Impairment: Hearing and Vision, Physical and Multiple Disabilities, Emotional and Behavioral Disorder, Speech and Language Impairment.
Inclusive education addressed the learning needs of all children, with a specific focus on those who are vulnerable to marginalization and exclusion. Its practices appraised educators about learners with disabilities and their families in the pursuit of inclusion within the general education setting. It sought to accomplish through peer support, advocacy, use of research based practices, and implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
At the culmination of the seminar, participants left with an understanding about what inclusive education is, what it looks like in practice and its different ideas for developing inclusive practice on their own.
Click the link below to view The Teacher’s Gallery website.