Anita Kent
Special Education Facilitator, Mother, and Advocate in Barrie, ON, Canada
I started my teaching career teaching grade 5 in Bailey, North Carolina. Since returning to Ontario in 2004, I have taught with the SCDSB in a variety of assignments but predominantly in Special Education.
I believe in the importance of connection and comfort and that there are no bad kids, just kids with unmet needs. Students need to feel seen and heard so that they can feel safe to learn.
One way I create connection and inclusiveness is by spending time getting to know students, their interests, backgrounds, strengths and needs,
Providing a variety of materials and experiences that connect students and represent their experience and by allowing them to share, promotes an evironment where they are safe, comfortable and able to learn. People feel invested when they feel a part of their environment and learning.