The Landscape of Inclusion: How Teachers in British Columbia Navigate Inclusive Education Policy and Practice

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 29
  In Roundtable Session: Teachers' Work and Professionalism

Abstract

Over the past 10 years, the landscape of inclusive education in British Columbia, Canada, has shifted in complex and often contradictory ways. This paper presents teacher experiences and perspectives on inclusion, drawing on a union-led summit and semi-structured interviews with specialist teachers. The results bring together the policy context with the daily realities of teachers through three key themes: (1) “we triage the system,” (2) “so much to be put on the shoulders of one person” and (3) the need for a school culture that enables “having those hard conversations.” The paper argues that it is crucial to learn from teachers’ experiences and perspectives in order to advocate for teaching and learning conditions that support all students with diverse needs.

Author

• Andree Elizabeth Gacoin, British Columbia Teachers' Federation