Teaching Philosophy: While children can always be present in their classroom, my goal is to ensure they have a presence. This is only achieved through coteaching and collaboration. Often, students with identified disabilities or special needs are excluded from their classroom community and work away from their peers. I work to support my students to be independent, confident learners, who meaningfully contribute to their classroom community. I strive to move my students from a place of inclusivity to belonging, using empathy as a foundation for learning.
"Think with your heart...it's where the music lives." -David Arnold, from Kids of Appetite
Bio: Hello! My name is Chelsea Freedman. I'm currently a Special Education Teacher in Northbrook, IL. I was born and raised in Scottsdale, AZ, where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Speech & Hearing Science from Arizona State University. I continued my education to receive my Master’s Degree in Special Education two years later.
Initially, I taught at a wonderfully inclusive school in South Phoenix, AZ, which left a lasting impression on me. The school embraced Expeditionary Learning, where students were constantly involved in service projects, such as caring for animals on school grounds as well as maintaining a nearby garden and orchard. It was amazing to experience the sense of community created at this school and this is something I strives to create within my classroom as well.