Inclusivity of students with special education needs and disabilities: memorable messages from teachers in secondary schools

Given that students spend considerable time with their teachers, the instructional realm is an important context for studying memorable messages. We sought to identify memorable messages about inclusivity in the classroom that first-semester college students recall from their secondary school teachers. Specifically, this study focused on messages about the inclusion of students with special education needs and disabilities (SEND). Students recalled memorable messages that revealed prosocial themes including those that emphasised the importance of including students with SEND, treating all students equally, and reframing neurodivergence as positive.