As we strive to create environments where all students feel seen, heard, valued, and are thriving, it’s important to ensure that students feel supported and connected with not only educators, but also each other. This may seem difficult to accomplish when you consider that kids come from all different backgrounds and have different needs and methods of learning, but we as educators can gently encourage better social inclusion in education.
Today’s guest, Kathleen Marcath, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of inclusion literature in our classrooms, especially as it pertains to deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Inclusion literature not only helps normalize and celebrate the differences we have, but it keeps kids engaged and fosters better communication and connection between them socially.
Listen in as Kathleen shares about her experience with writing inclusive children’s literature & her mission to extend the conversation of inclusion.
About Kathleen Marcath: Kathleen Marcath has a B.A. degree in Deaf Community Studies. Years of experience as a special education sign language supporter have kindled her passion for helping children reach their educational potential. Kathleen is delighted to help fill the need for picture books illustrated in American Sign Language and is the author of My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me, an educational and fun story that teaches 32 signs in American Sign Language. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother, and resides in Michigan.
To learn more, you can visit her website or find her on Facebook and Instagram.
Jump in the Conversation: * [1:48] Following our passions in life and making a difference * [8:48] Inclusion as a lens for selecting an illustrator * [9:58] Benefits of ASL for children and everyone * [28:07] Kathleen’s Magic Wand: Sign Language instruction and practice available in schools for children of all ages * [30:03] Maureen’s Take-Aways
Links and Resources: * My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me * Isaac Liang, illustrator * Whole Brain Living book and TED talk by Jill Bolte Taylor * Christine Sun Kim’s TED talk on the enchanting music of sign language * Seattle’s public bilingual ASL Rosen Family Preschool * Jim Kwik * Email Maureen * The Education Evolution * Facebook: Follow Education Evolution * Twitter: Follow Education Evolution * LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution * EdActive Collective * Maureen’s book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids * Micro-school feature on Good Morning America * The Micro-School Coalition * Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition * LEADPrep
