I believe in a full inclusion classroom for students. I believe this type of classroom not only benefits students with special needs but students without special needs as well. “The strategy behind inclusion is to design supports- innovative approaches to learning, differentiated instruction, curricular adaptations- for every student in the classroom to include the entire spectrum of learners” (Schwarz, 2006, p. 35). Having a full inclusion classroom gives students an opportunity to see the world through other people’s eyes. 


 I believe in collaboration between students. I think that students can gain knowledge and perspective when they are able to bounce ideas off of each other. I want my students to know how to work together for a common goal. "The group functions somewhat like a mutual aid society in which all members are responsible for helping each other perform and ensuring that everyone contributes to the collective task" (Gay, 2002, p.110). Students will benefit from knowing how to work together as a group and doing it enough that they are use to and comfortable with it.
 I believe in accepting and celebrating each student’s unique cultural background. The classroom is becoming more and more diverse and I believe in recognizing and celebrating that. “We need to do whatever is necessary so that our children and our people accept themselves, with all our magnificent phenotypes, as people of beauty” (Au, 2009, p.29). Helping student’s feel welcomed and accepted helps create a safe environment for them to learn in and is something they will benefit from. 

References
Au, W. (Ed.)(2009). Rethinking multicultural education. Milwaukee: Rethinking Schools Publication.
Gay, G. (2002). Preparing for culturally responsive teaching. Journal of Teacher Education, 53(2), 106-116.
Schwarz, P. (2006). Disability to possibility: The power of inclusive classrooms. Portsmouth, NH: Heinmann.