VIDBE-Q Volume 65 Issue 3
public, and also the ones who no other kids really wanted to come over and play
with (prior to the pandemic) other than out of their parents forcing them to go to
birthday parties. What I wanted to relay in this little story is that although families
may on the appearance feel like they have what they need to provide help to their
children, it may in fact not be what is needed. How do we as educators facilitate
situations to help these scenarios? Well although unique, this family suggested
something plausible in having more inclusive events that facilitate opportunities
for families to connect. I can personally attest to the fact that this is difficult in
more rural scenarios as in the case of my family where my son is the only child
with a visual impairment in the whole school district. Having events that take into
account inclusion and adapted activities is inviting to these families and starts to
break down walls that families may experience. Let's hope we can get back to
group activities!
Spring of 2020 sent most of us educators into a new learning realm we could
never have imagined. It was a period of time like no other we have seen where we
could not physically be in-person with our students. This was very hard for me as I
pride myself on establishing good relationships with all of my families and
students. I use the term not reinventing the wheel, but it sure felt like that because
virtual instruction was not something we are used to doing. I think the reality that
most of us are finding, or about to find ourselves in, are discovering what schools
