(Dis)ability & Marcus on Being Good   

               

      When it comes to disabilities, we must look at the big picture. All children need love, support, and encouragement such as positive reinforcement to help ensure that they emerge with a strong sense of self-worth and confidence regardless their impairment and special needs.  

      The reading focuses a lot on supporting special needs kids, it describes Marcus as charming and engaging, it clearly states that he actively participated in activities, however as soon as that was over he started getting antsy, to my understanding he had special needs however he managed to participate in certain activities such as morning cycle. The fact that the principal from Marcus’ school was so engaged and well informed stood out to me because principals are not as involved as she should be, in the high school I attended I did not feel the principal interacted much with students and was not involved as much as the principal from Marcus’ school. She knew him very well and cared a lot for him. On the other hand, I worked for the YMCA which I consider a safe space due to the welcoming and support staff make people feel when being there. They implement the core of conduct from the reading. For instance, at the after-school programming they implement a strategy known as “social emotional learning” kids are in assigned groups with a staff as well as other children where they share what did they do in school and how do they feel? That is a great opportunity for their voice to be heard and lets them be known.