The end of the year is here and its time to host your classroom end of year awards ceremony. This year, i’ll be creating an inclusive, non competitive awards ceremony in my virtual classroom. Awards always remind me of a parent I once who proudly watched her son walk across the stage to accept his award for “Excellence in Life Skills”. This is an award that we started in my school to acknowledge our students who are working towards alternative goals, making our graduation ceremonies more inclusive of all students. I remember this parent pulling me aside and telling me that she had never remembered her son receiving any kind of award at school or even being invited to school event. While this was such a happy moment for this family, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.
Some may think that the purpose of awards are to reflect a particular student’s handwork and that giving to all defeats that purpose. BUT why do awards have to be about the best? Awards are about recognizing the unique skills and qualities that each student brings into the classroom every day. Now when I plan for my end of the year awards ceremony, I make sure I’m creating awards with each students in mind. You can too with my End of Year Award Certificates for Special Education Classrooms .
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