2.8 Reflection on the inclusive teacher

According to Thacker (Opp-Beckman, & Klinghammer, 2006, p. 71) there are twelve attitudes a good teacher shows that help promote an environment conducive to learning.

Teacher behaviours for fostering a climate conducive to the development of thinking skills:

  • Setting ground rules well in advance
  • Providing well-planned activities
  • Showing respect for each pupil
  • Providing non-threatening activities
  • Being flexible
  • Accepting individual differences
  • Exhibiting a positive attitude
  • Modelling thinking skills
  • Acknowledging every response
  • Allowing pupils to be active participants
  • Creating experiences that will ensure success at least part of the time for each pupil
  • Using a wide variety of teaching modalities

Activity 10: Twelve attitudes of the inclusive teacher

This activity will help teachers to focus on and evaluate their vision of the inclusive teacher.

Annotate the above list of the 12 Teacher behaviours for fostering a climate conducive to the development of thinking skills.

  • First, highlight the attitudes that have been discussed in this chapter of the toolkit. Annotate them by writing in the margin the main points you would like to highlight.
  • Look back through the chapter to check your list against those discussed.
  • Complete this list as you work through other chapters of this toolkit and find further illustrations of attitudes listed by Thacker. If necessary, come back to this page and continue annotating the list.

2.7 An inclusive teacher contributes to the emotional well-being of all children

3. A classroom for all in a school for all