In developing my Inclusive Classroom Teacher Equity and Inclusion Toolbox, I found it difficult to locate resources that particularly supported low socioeconomic groups, addressed 2SLGBTQ+ concerns, strengthened student voice and agency, provided evidence-based practical implementation guides, and incorporated interdisciplinary approaches, particularly in mathematics.
Finding resources for low-SES students was challenging. Poverty creates many limitations to education, including food insecurity, unstable housing, and limited internet access. Inclusive education resources tend to focus on race, disability, or language learning but rarely address economic challenges. Existing resources provide broad strategies rather than targeted, evidence-based interventions. Teacher training programs typically lack guidance on supporting low-income students. Educators may learn about cultural responsiveness but are not always equipped with practical strategies for supporting students from low socioeconomic circumstances.
Locating inclusive lesson plans for 2SLGBTQ+ students was challenging due to a lack of standardized curriculum guidelines. Restrictions on discussing gender identity and sexual orientation discourage publishers and educators from developing inclusive materials. Many teachers do not receive training on 2SLGBTQ+ inclusivity, making it difficult to integrate these topics effectively. Existing resources often focus on anti-bullying rather than subject-specific 2SLGBTQ+ representation. Lesson plans that actively incorporate 2SGBTQ+ perspectives in history, literature, or science are scarce.
It was also a challenge to locate resources that supported student voice and agency. I was able to find resources that focused on what teachers should do for students rather than involving students in decision-making. Many students, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, may feel unheard. A truly inclusive toolbox should promote student-led equity initiatives that offer students an active role in shaping their education.
Another significant gap in equity resources was the absence of practical implementation guides for teachers. Many existing resources emphasize the importance of equity without providing concrete, actionable strategies for classroom application. Teachers often face time constraints and struggle to translate broad equity concepts into daily practice. Resources that offer ready-to-use lesson plans, real-world case studies, reflective practices for educators, and opportunities for collaborative learning through professional development communities.
While Mathematics can be viewed as a neutral subject area, it is often connected with issues of accessibility and socioeconomic inequalities. Many resources contain cultural biases that assume background knowledge some students may not have. There is a need for more resources that support systematic, explicit instruction of math concepts at the early elementary level to enable students who arrive in Primary with less experience with numbers to develop a deeper understanding of and capacity to successfully explore math concepts.Â
An effective Inclusive Teacher Toolbox should provide resources that offer more real, applicable strategies that educators can implement immediately. Strengthening resources for low-income students, empowering student voices, ensuring practical guidance for teachers, and integrating equity into mathematics are also crucial resources needed to create a truly inclusive and effective toolbox.