Integrating Faith and Special Education

There is an inherent connection between the Christian faith and special education. For example, both focus on the worth of the individual. Both also focus on fairness and on caring for, or helping, the weak. Similarly, both aim to equip and support others. This book helps the readers perceive this integral relationship that exists between the Christian faith and the special education discipline. This book utilizes the chapters that stem from real life professional experiences and scholarship of the contributors to model and encourage special education practice from a Christian faith angle. It is our view that special education practiced from this faith perspective will transform what is currently accepted as best practice, into a new system of special education experience that is wholesome, biblically-based, and characteristic of Shalom as wholeness (not just peace). Shalom in this sense has strong relevance in both the Christian faith and special education. The first three chapters highlight the connection between special education and Christian theology, and draw attention to the pivotal role worldview plays in being an effective special educator. The bulk of the body of the text looks at different aspects of instructional effectiveness in special education from a Christian faith perspective. ""Integrating Faith and Special Education provides an opportunity for practitioners to meaningfully engage the intersection of theology, diversity, and implications for effectively meeting the needs of students. A great resource for educators.""   --Pamela M. Christian, Vice Provost of Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement, Biola University ż ""This book is essential for the field of special education, especially for teacher practitioners who are engaging in responding to the call to serve children with disabilities. This book is an excellent resource for those who are seeking ways to integrate their faith into their teaching practices. I strongly recommend this book as a required text for Christian Institutions of Higher Education charged with teacher training programs.""  --Nilsa J. Thorsos, Professor of Special Education, National University ""There is a natural connection between Christian faith and special education, with both focusing on compassion for the weak and the inherent dignity of every human being. Dr. Ben Nworie, a remarkable special education scholar and practitioner, models this integration well in his life, teaching, and now in his important new book, [which] advances special education practice by drawing from the wisdom of the Christian tradition. I hope it is read widely."" --Barry H. Corey, President of Biola University; Author of Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue Ben Nworie is a Professor of Special Education with over thirty years of research, teaching, and administrative experiences from K-12 to college. He holds a PhD in Special Education, with Clinical Psychology as a second area of emphasis. Dr. Nworie also holds two graduate degrees in Theology. His most recent faculty positions have been at the schools of education at Azusa Pacific University, and Biola University, in California. He is the author of Critical and Enduring Issues in Special Education (2016).