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Change Your Environment to your school or district, what would you may have a medical model issue
Include All Students you see? Do you see an environment in your school or district. If any of this
sounds familiar, it is time to put on a
that is IEP driven, or do you see an
As an administrator, use your posi- environment that treats the child? Do critical lens, examine your inclusive
tions to reevaluate how your inclusive you have rooms for the “special ed” environments, and make the changes
environments look to the students kids? Do your students ride a “special” necessary for true equal access for all
they are meant to serve. If you were bus to school? Do you have dances students. Good luck!
to apply a social disabilities lens to or events just for “those” kids? If so,

References
Ashby, C. (2012). Disability Studies and Inclusive Teacher Preparation: A Socially Just Path for Teacher Education.
Research and Practice for Persons With Severe Disabilities, 37(2), 89-99.
Baglieri, S. & Shapiro, A. (2017). Disability Studies and the Inclusive Classroom. New York: Routledge.

About the Author

Mr. Thomas M. D’Elia is the Director of Operations/Chief Talent Officer for Belleville Public Schools. Tom’s
former educational roles have included classroom experience as a middle school teacher, Grades 6-8, and
administrative experience as Director of Athletics and Director of Curriculum and Instruction. In his various
roles, Tom has always emphasized the importance of a healthy, inclusive work environment for all students
and staff. His current role as Director of Operations/Chief Talent Officer brings his work in education full-
circle where, among other responsibilities, he now leads a wonderful group of district instructional coaches to
promote and professionally model best practices throughout the Belleville School District.

Educational Viewpoints -86- Spring 2019