[Gentle music]
Iain McDonald: So I chose the general Masters of Inclusive Education. I thought that was really valuable because it gave me a wide lens to look at how to be inclusive across many situations and scenarios.
[On-screen text: Master of Inclusive Education Program – Master of Specialist Inclusive Education – Deakin University]
Iain McDonald: I am the foundation teacher at Eastwood Primary School. I do the school transition, so I go to each kindergarten and meet each child before they start school to gauge where they're at.
Rukshana Verzijl: Iain has gained a lot of knowledge through the course that he's done on being able to recognise the needs of children. And he brings that information back to his team and they discuss what's needed to be adjusted to the program that they will deliver the following year.
Iain McDonald: I think the course allowed me to embed in my practice what I value, which is inclusive education, but also bring in a lens of research-based evidence. So being able to know that what I'm doing is actually best practice and not anecdotal, and that's really valuable because we all bring our own personal lenses and even biases. And I think that that removes that because you know what is evidence-based and you can actually apply that effectively to get the results of what we're all looking for.
Rukshana Verzijl: He will come to me with strategies that he has developed through this program, and I will then be able to ask him questions about the researched evidence behind it. And he has that on tap to give to me. He could also argue with knowledge on what wouldn't work, and I think that's important as well.
Iain McDonald: I use my masters in everyday teaching, but I also use it when coaching and mentoring other teachers, and that's really invaluable to ensure that they are also running highly effective classrooms.
Rukshana Verzijl: Having done a program such as the Masters of Inclusive Education, he's developed a credibility within the other staff in being able to develop their skills in that area too.
Iain McDonald: Classrooms are busy places. The time to reflect is always shorter, and so by doing an external course like this, you take time to really think. And by doing that, you come away a better person.
[On-screen text: Disability Inclusion – Education for All. Victorian State Government – Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne]
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