Portfolio Introduction
This portfolio is a reflection of my personal and academic journey towards becoming an inclusive
educator. Each task demonstrates my growing understanding of inclusive education, the professional
challenges it poses, and the strategies required to ensure meaningful participation and success for all
learners.
In Task 1, I critically analyse the teacher’s reflective question—“Are my learners struggling to learn,
or am I struggling to teach?”—to highlight how teaching practices and attitudes directly influence
learner engagement. The discussion frames learning challenges not as deficits in learners, but as
professional challenges for teachers to address through self-reflection and adaptive teaching.
In Task 2, I build on this idea by suggesting practical strategies that teachers can implement to
address diverse learning challenges. The focus here is on inclusive methods such as differentiated
instruction, scaffolding, formative assessment, and multimodal teaching approaches, all of which aim
to promote equity and success for learners of different abilities and backgrounds.
Task 3 moves towards a broader systemic analysis by critically examining the South African
approach to inclusive education. It explores how historical, cultural, political, and economic factors
have shaped the implementation of inclusive education in South Africa. The task is divided into four
parts, covering definitions, historical and policy contexts, localised applications, and the ongoing
challenges and opportunities for inclusive education within communities, schools, and policy
frameworks.
Finally, Task 4 provides a personal reflection on my journey towards becoming an inclusive educator.
By reflecting on a teacher who inspired me, my motivations for teaching, my strengths and areas for
growth, and my personal vision, I highlight how lived experiences and values shape my commitment
to teaching. This section also includes creative elements such as a mind map and vision board, which
visually illustrate my aspirations and inclusive teaching philosophy.
Taken together, these tasks not only demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge but also my
personal growth and reflective engagement with the principles of inclusive education.