A British Columbia Teacher Union and School District Collaboration to Support Inclusion

• In Event: Teacher Unions and Educational Governance

Abstract

This paper describes and reflects on a collaboration focusing on Inclusion between a teacher union and an urban Canadian school district and to consider the impact of the collaboration on supporting inclusive education. It considers how the use of facilitated professional conversations in multiple school sites engaged teachers in both reflection and action, and assesses the use of video and technology to share inclusive practices as a first base in creating networked learning communities. Teachers reported strong interest in the conversations they held. Many felt that time for conversation was so limited in the regular teaching week, and that few opportunities occurred to engage in discourse. Video production has aided reflection and provided tools for further networking and professional learning.

Authors

• Charlie Naylor, British Columbia Teachers' Federation

• Kathyrn D'Angelo, Richmond Board of Education

• Jerry Fast, Richmond Teachers' Association

• Kathleen Evelyn Champion, School District No. 38 (Richmond)