About the Guest(s): Sam Drazin is the founder and Executive Director of Changing Perspectives, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering inclusive educational practices. A former elementary school teacher, Sam brings firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in creating inclusive school environments. His organization works with schools nationwide and internationally, providing professional development, consulting, and curriculum resources aimed at building more inclusive classrooms and communities.

Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode of the Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas engages in an enlightening discussion with Sam Drazin, founder of Changing Perspectives. Sam delves into his journey from being a classroom teacher to leading a nonprofit that aims to transform educational practices toward inclusion. This episode uncovers the importance of inclusive education, the structural obstacles that educators face, and actionable strategies for creating a more inclusive learning environment for all students.

Sam Drazin shares his insights on why inclusion is vital, not just as a theoretical concept but as a practical approach that mirrors the real world. Highlighting that schools often segregate based on ability, Sam argues for schools to act as microcosms of a diverse society. This ensures students learn not just academic skills, but also about empathy and collaboration, preparing them for a more inclusive future. Villages and Drazin also discuss the often-gleaned yet practical hurdles educators face, advocating for a shift in mindset from "I can't" to "How can we?" This focus on growth mindsets over fixed mindsets is central to Drazin’s philosophy and the work of Changing Perspectives.

Transcript: https://otter.ai/u/kMOqK-BonE7gdPEJaRZRVkI8iFI

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace Inclusion as Real-World Preparation: Schools should act as mini-societies that teach students about diversity, empathy, and inclusion.
• Combat Ableistic Structures: The current education system is inadvertently ableistic, designed more to push out homogeneous groups of students rather than celebrating diversity.
• Mindset Shift: Moving from a fixed to a growth mindset is crucial for educators to address the challenges in implementing inclusive education.
• Actionable Strategies: Schools should identify specific, actionable goals for inclusion rather than vague or broad initiatives, enabling measurable progress.
• Empowerment Through Training: Customized, hands-on professional development can significantly impact teachers' ability to create inclusive classrooms.

Resources:

Changing Perspectives Website: https://changingperspectivesnow.org/

Thanks to our sponsor for the month of June: https://dcmp.org/

MCIE: https://www.mcie.org/

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