Never, Ever Give Up: AISB Hope Int'l's Commitment to Inclusion
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Change is in the air. Just as autumn rolls into winter, a new season is here at AISB – Hope International. With a new Head of School, Mr. Roger Bishop, AISB-Hope International is starting the process of reinventing and reinvigorating some of our successful programs. Specifically, AISB-Hope International is affirming its commitment to be an inclusive school where we believe every student can and will succeed with the proper supports. To this end, we are launching a Special Education program modeled after the American “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.”
To lead this endeavor, AISB-Hope International has brought on board Mr. Todd Nelson as their new Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). Mr. Nelson has over 14 years of educational experience, with more than 10 years in the classroom and American certifications in Special Education and English as a Second Language. Mr. Nelson has a long career in leading innovation and change with programs in both corporate America and education.
“Mr. Nelson has spurred the Special Needs program on and brought a new level of professionalism and expertise to the program. What’s more, teachers can learn from Mr. Nelson to better support special needs students in the classroom.” ~ Mr. Roger Bishop
AISB-Hope International offers support for all students, including those within the special needs community. Over the last 10 years, we have developed a strong system of supports for all learners. Coupled with our small class sizes, low student-to-teacher ratio, and a nurturing, caring environment where character development is as important as academic achievement, AISB-Hope International is poised with opportunities to serve a much-overlooked community in Beijing.
Our commitment to being an all-inclusive campus fits perfectly with our mission statement -
AISB - Hope International offers a nurturing community that equips students to strive for excellence in learning and to develop godly character in order to passionately pursue truth and humbly influence the world.
Mr. Nelson believes in the “whole-child” approach to education – social emotional learning is just as important as academic progress. His motto for both teachers and students – never, ever give up.
“With the proper support and environment your special needs students can be amazing learners in your class. You, the classroom teacher, must be their advocate,” is just one on the many lessons Mr. Nelson has imparted during professional development sessions.
AISB-Hope International is also working diligently to ensure all teachers and staff are trained in inclusion support methodologies. Along with in-house professional development, teachers and support staff are encouraged to attend virtual and local special educational needs events. At AISB-Hope International, every teacher and support staff are “inclusion” teachers.
Throughout the school, we strive to ensure all students, benefit from our holistic approach to education which develops the intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual lives of students. Our special needs students are every bit a part of our school.
Our Special Needs department is an integral part of our school interacting with all departments. Along with our SENCO - Todd Nelson, our Head of School – Roger Bishop, our Head of Elementary – Nicole Kennedy, and the Head of English Plus – Michael Sapp comprise our Special Needs committee. They meet regularly to discuss both the individual needs of students and the program in general.
“Our teachers enthusiastically welcome students with learning differences into their classrooms as they are equipped and supported by Mr. Nelson to help all students succeed in learning.” ~ Mrs. Nicole Kennedy
Upon enrollment, all our ELL special needs students are assessed by our English Plus department first to determine their English proficiency and numeracy skills. Native English students are assessed in their literacy and numeracy skills. With this information we further evaluate to ascertain learning abilities, academic achievement, growth, and more.
Using this data, reports from prior schools, specialist evaluations, and interviews with parents/family members, counselors, therapists, and/or designated advocates, we develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Our IEPs are not written by one person. They are drafted from multiple sources including many stakeholders.
Further, we recently developed a new IEP format to ensure our learning plans detail specific supports, accommodations, and modifications that will help ensure a student's success. “We can and will ensure a dynamic, caring, supporting environment for our special needs children,” said Mr. Nelson.
For more information, to set up a tour of our school, please message us at eva.yang@aisb-hopeintl.org.cn or scan the QR Code below.
Images: Courtesy of AISB-Hope International
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