Special Education Expert to Assist Egypt’s Inclusive Education Initiative
Dr. Lucinda Spaulding, a renowned special education professor, is set to embark on a transformative journey to Egypt, where she will play a pivotal role in developing an inclusive education system for students with disabilities. Her expertise and guidance will significantly impact Egypt’s National Center for Educational Research and Development (NCERD) as they strive to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all.
Dr. Spaulding’s mission is part of the Fulbright Specialist Program, a prestigious initiative that fosters international educational exchange. This month-long project, titled ‘Strategies for Teaching People with Disabilities,’ will take place in Cairo, Egypt, and aims to integrate students with mild disabilities into mainstream classrooms.
The goal is to equip Egyptian educators with the necessary tools and strategies to create an inclusive classroom environment. Dr. Spaulding will provide academic support and ‘social and behavioral’ guidance, addressing critical issues such as bullying and the stigma associated with disabilities. Her role will be a ‘training-the-trainers’ approach, where she collaborates with Egyptian researchers to impart best practices and innovative teaching methods.
The workshop topics will cover a wide range of essential subjects, including the ‘medical vs. social model of disability,’ crafting lesson plans for differentiated instruction, and implementing ‘strategies for cooperative and peer-assisted learning among students.’
Prior to her departure, Dr. Spaulding prepared an extensive ‘100-page toolkit’ of resources, which will be shared with teachers across Egypt. This toolkit, along with her presentations, is being translated into Arabic to ensure accessibility and effectiveness. Her primary objective is to ensure the sustainability of her teachings, making a lasting impact on Egypt’s educational landscape.
Dr. Spaulding’s involvement in the Fulbright Program is not new. She is the co-founder and co-director of Lynchburg’s Fulbright Council and a designated Fulbright Program Advisor. In this role, she has supported numerous students in their Fulbright applications, including Rick Smallshaw and Wrenn Cleary, who were successful in their endeavors to teach and research in Germany and Greece, respectively.
As a Fulbright Specialist, Dr. Spaulding is excited to represent Lynchburg in Egypt, bringing her wealth of knowledge and experience to foster a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for students with disabilities.