Each year, the TASH Conference brings together a diverse community of stakeholders who gain information, learn about resources, and connect with others across the country to strengthen the disability field. This year’s conference theme, “Be Creative - Innovative Solutions for an Inclusive Life,” reminds us to think outside the box during times of uncertainty. Creativity, innovation, and determination can pave the way for meaningful and inclusive lives for people with disabilities.
This talk examines my personal transition from an able bodied inclusive teacher educator to an empowered teacher educator embodying several disabilities, including a TBI. I will describe how I navigate a teaching and learning environment for inclusive educators earning their master's degrees, the significant changes in how I approach my teaching as a result of my life-changing experiences, and my battle to retain my identity within my department. I will detail my evolving journey, including my stumbles, as I recreate myself within a society that chooses to see me differently. I will identify the strategies I use to promote a culture of inclusivity in my classroom and the power of learning about inclusive teaching directly from an important stakeholder. I will explain how we embody social justice in truly inclusive learning spaces and how these experiences become a natural extension in my students' Pre-K - 6 classrooms.
