Culturally Competent Teaching Online During COVID-19 for Learning-Diverse Students With Exceptionalities and Other Needs

• In Event: Education Reimagined: Implications for Praxis in a COVID-19 Environment

Abstract

Teaching learning-diverse students, English learners (Els), and students with disabilities has become of paramount importance as it relates to each unique student’s need, directed by an Individual Education Plan (IEP), 504, English Language Plan, and related services, especially for those students served primarily under the Individual Disabilities Education Act. However, teaching and reaching students during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic required educators to seek connections not only with students via remote learning, but also with family members, caretakers and extended relatives of students. These soft connections had to be made in addition to learning how to meet our student’s needs who presented with mild to complex learning and other related needs characteristic of students receiving special education.

Author

• York Williams, West Chester University of Pennsylvania