Lesson 2

As a child, I never had much contact with children with disabilities. I knew that there was special education classroom in my elementary school, but I never interacted with any of those students. I now feel that was a missed opportunity, a learning experience I never received. This lack of exposure led to a lack of understanding. Elder Wirthlin said, "All of Heavenly Father's children are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole." Without exposure to the variety of those sounds, we miss the opportunity to experience some of the beautiful music of this life. 

I feel that it is important for disabled students to be as involved in the regular classroom as possible. This leads to an increase in understanding and love in all involved. It gives students the opportunity to reach out and serve those in need. It breaks down barriers and teaches inclusion despite any differences that may exist. This is vital knowledge for everyone to have. Not every difference we see in others will be physical or mental, but as we learn to reach out beyond ourselves, we are able to heal the hearts of those around us. 

During our classroom discussion this week, I pondered the effects of having students with disabilities in the classroom. I pondered the challenges this creates for teachers and students. I recognized that it is not the answer for every disabled child, but I reflected on the the words I had read in preparation on reaching out in love. Elder Ballard said, "If we are truly disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will reach out with love and understanding to all of our neighbors at all times, particularly in times of need." Elder Packer told the story of a class that had a disabled student. After watching them help this student up the stairs, he said, "It became apparent that the whole class was afflicted with a marvelous kind of blindness. They could not see that he was different. They saw a classmate, a friend. In them the works of God were being manifest. While there was no physical transformation in the boy or in his classmates, they were serving like angels, soothing a spirit locked in a deformed body awaiting that time when it would be everlastingly made perfect." As a future teacher, if I can teach my students to reach out with love and inclusion to everyone and give them opportunities to do so, then I will have succeeded, no matter what their grades may be.