Transforming Classrooms: Key Insights from the Third Annual International Inclusive Education Symposium (IIES)
- tiinajorikoba
- May 16
- 3 min read
Inclusive education is more than a goal; it is a commitment to ensuring every learner has the opportunity to thrive. On 15th May 2026, the nonprofit NGO, Tiina Joir Ko Ba: Hope Restored Community Outrach hosted its third annual International Inclusive Education Symposium (IIES) at the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Assembly in the Upper East region of Ghana. This event brought together educators, experts, and advocates to share practical strategies and fresh perspectives on inclusion in classrooms. The symposium featured dynamic presentations and interactive activities designed to inspire and equip teachers to create truly inclusive learning environments. After the symposium, 95% of attendees filling the post attendance survey noted that the IIE Symposium "significantly enhanced their understanding of Inclusive Education practices."
Welcoming Inclusion with Sign Language and Passionate Advocacy
The symposium opened with a warm welcome in Ghanaian Sign Language by Mr. Robert Sampana, director of JOII School in Navrongo. This gesture set the tone for an event deeply rooted in respect and accessibility. Following this, Elaine Jeanette Walton, co-founder of Tiina Jori Ko Ba and a dedicated inclusive educationist, shared a heartfelt speech explaining the importance of the symposium. She emphasized that inclusion is not just about physical presence but about meaningful participation and achievement for all students.
Elaine also engaged participants with an Inclusive Education questionnaire and a sensory activity. These exercises helped teachers reflect on their current practices and experience firsthand some of the challenges students face. This approach highlighted the need for ongoing training and self-awareness among educators to foster truly inclusive classrooms.
Practical Strategies for Inclusion in the Classroom
Dr. Adam Awine from the University of Education in Winneba led a thought-provoking session titled "Towards Greater Inclusion." His presentation focused on three pillars essential to inclusive classrooms:
Access: Ensuring all students can physically and intellectually enter the learning environment.
Participation: Encouraging active involvement in lessons and school activities.
Achievement: Supporting every student to reach their full potential.
Dr. Awine introduced the concept of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework that guides educators to create flexible learning experiences that accommodate diverse learners. He also discussed structural barriers such as teaching style, rigid curricula, and limited resources but stressed the importance of educators being flexible enough to respond to students’ unique needs.
Managing Stress to Support Inclusion
Teaching in inclusive classrooms can be demanding. Madam Rovaughna Richardson, LPC and founder of Esteem Resources Africa, addressed this by helping participants recognize signs of stress and their reactions to it. She introduced the Stress Continuum Model, which categorizes stress levels and she offered practical ways to manage stress effectively.
Her session included hands-on activities that teachers could use to de-stress during the school day. By managing their stress, educators can maintain a calm and supportive classroom atmosphere, which is vital for inclusion to succeed.
Building a Culture of Inclusion through Observation and Validation
Dr. Doran Gresham, Associate Professor at George Washington University, shared a video lecture on creating a classroom culture of inclusion using the VABB approach:
Validating students’ experiences and identities.
Affirming their strengths and contributions.
Building supportive relationships.
Bridging connections between students and learning.
He also introduced the Observation Cycle, encouraging teachers to observe each other’s teaching methods. Dr. Gresham pointed out that within the first seven minutes of entering a classroom, educators can identify practices they want to adopt or avoid. This insight encourages reflective practice and peer learning, which are crucial for continuous improvement in inclusive education.
Practical Tips for Everyday Inclusion
Valerius Sandow rounded off the symposium by speaking on "The Importance of Inclusive Education" He encouraged and challenged the teachers to be compassionate educators. He then opened his session for questions educators had about inclusive education. He and other facilitators shared on practical tips that teachers can implement immediately towards Greater inclusion in the municipality.
These straightforward strategies help make inclusion a daily reality rather than an abstract ideal.
Moving Forward with Inclusive Education
The third annual International Inclusive Education Symposium demonstrated that inclusion requires commitment, flexibility, and continuous learning. From understanding the core aspects of access, participation, and achievement to managing stress and building supportive classroom cultures, the event provided valuable tools for educators, with 95% of educators attending noting, via survey, that the IIE Symposium "significantly enhanced their understanding of Inclusive Education practices."
Teachers who attended left with practical ideas and renewed motivation to transform their classrooms. The key takeaway is clear: inclusive education is achievable when educators are equipped with the right knowledge, skills, and mindset. By embracing flexibility and collaboration, schools can become places where every student belongs and succeeds.
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