"We need to evolve our approach and see differences, not deficits."
If there is another individual whose work we feel aligns incredibly well with what we are doing here at Shift Your Thinking, it seems to be Jonathan Mooney. We were very fortunate to have Jonathan join us on an SYT Learn live call...and this Inclusion and Learning Activist was incredible. He wrapped up our call with this beautiful summary which will give you a sense of what this call was all about:
We need to evolve our approach and see differences, not deficits. The world needs all of the strengths, gifts and talents people offer, not despite their differences, but because of them.
Jonathan comes from a place of true understanding, as he himself discussed that he “had every label you could imagine” and was eventually called the “bad kid”, “lazy kid” and “special education kid”. With diagnoses such as dyslexia, ADHD, and dysgraphia, and struggles with anxiety and depression, he lived the experience first hand of so many of the children in our lives...
He was made to feel like the “bad kid” because of his differences
He was made to feel stupid because he didn’t learn the same as everyone else
He was told he would be a high school dropout and unemployed
However…Jonathan rose above the challenges that he faced. He graduated high school, went to university and became an author, activist, entrepreneur and speaker.
Jonathan talked to us about three things he champions:
The problem is not the difference, the problem is actually the way that difference is treated in environments where we are told that we should be the same.
Differences should not be seen as deficits. Kids often hear what is wrong with them, but we need to focus on what a student CAN do.
We have to fight for our right to learn differently and need to constantly advocate for that. We don’t have to make the square peg fit the round hole.
This was a live call that was geared not only toward adults but toward youth as well. Jonathan was a relatable speaker who was honest, real, and inspiring, sharing experiences directly from his own life. He also discussed his views on other topics as well such as shame, social stigma, IEP’s, motivation and interest-based learning. There were so many great AHA moments, it is definitely worth a watch.
Watch this Masterclass and gain all the insights and gems HERE.
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