Dr. Shelley Herron is a Fulbright Specialist Program in 2025.

Dr. Shelley Herron, Research Associate at the University of Colorado Boulder, and the Government of Palembang City successfully implemented a Fulbright Specialist project on strengthening inclusive education practices across multiple institutions in Palembang in April 2026.

Project that was initiated by the Palembang Government Office of Education productively engaged teachers, administrators, university faculty, parents, and students. Its goal was to deepen understanding of inclusion and provide practical strategies to support students with diverse learning needs within general education settings.

To achieve it, Dr. Herron observed elementary and junior high school classrooms, held discussions with educators, administrators, and parents. She also conducted a series of interactive workshops with teachers and delivered four university presentations focused on inclusive practice, the application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and other specific topics requested by schools and universities. These topics included Inclusion policy, prevention and responding to bullying, and behavior management strategies.

The scenario-based learning activities, culturally relevant examples, visual supports, modeling of strategies, and guided dialogue that she used during the workshops and presentations allowed participants to be actively engaged.

Dr. Herron observed that many challenges in Indonesia mirror those in the United States.

“Inclusion is not a finished model, but a continuous process of growth and collaboration,” she explained.

This perspective fostered open dialogue, connectedness and encouraged participants to reflect on both challenges and opportunities within their schools.

Immediate outcomes included increased confidence among educators in applying inclusive strategies, greater engagement in discussions surrounding inclusion, and a shift in mindset toward viewing inclusion as both achievable and essential. Participants reported a stronger sense of responsibility in supporting students with disabilities and expressed interest in continuing to develop their skills.

Dr. Herron also met with university leadership and faculty to discuss opportunities for sustained collaboration. Plans include co-authoring academic publications with Sriwijaya University and partnering with Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Fatah Palembang on initiatives related to cultural exchange, professional development, and joint research. Additional discussions focused on future seminars, conference participation, and ongoing knowledge-sharing in inclusive education practices.

This project not only advanced professional development but also established a strong foundation for long-term collaboration and mutual learning across institutions, allowing Dr. Herron to partner with four universities and a wide range of educational stakeholders.

These partnerships are expected to support continued progress in inclusive education, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote cross-cultural exchange between Indonesia and the United States.

To strengthen international collaboration, Dr. Herron plans to engage students from the University of Colorado Boulder in a collaborative project with teachers from two Indonesian schools. Beginning in Summer 2026 and continuing through Fall 2026, participants will work together to develop inclusive lesson plans grounded in UDL principles. Indonesian teachers have expressed strong enthusiasm for this opportunity to collaborate and enhance their instructional practices.