What is your educational background?
I have my bachelor's of science in EC/Elementary Education. I have taught kindergarten for a year and preschool for 4 years. I also student taught 2nd grade while in college.

What other experiences, or staff development has prepared you for inclusion?
My other experiences include classes in special education. I have also taken inservice hours which have helped me broaden my perspective on inclusion. The experience in an inclusive class has also prepared me. When I wok with other staff, I begin to see the importance of inclusion.

What is your job role?
My job role is to set up a curriculum to maintain children's needs. I work won skills that help the children grow.

What is your role regarding the inclusive component of the program?
I help the special education teacher in whatever areas she needs me to help. If there are problems or concerns regarding a child, I refer them to her. I also make the child who may have problems feel comfortable and safe in their environment.

How has your role changed or have you adapted your role as it relates to the inclusive program?
I have adapted my role as it relates to the inclusion. Each child in the classroom may need different strategies that fit my role. EX: Taking a child who is disruptive out of the classroom, feeding children etc.

What were your biggest concerns about participating in an inclusive program?
At one time, I thought that having an inclusive program would slow down my classroom. I thought I wouldn't be able to cover every thing with having to meet so many needs.

What were your experiences related to these concerns once inclusive services were implemented?
I have seen that an inclusive program is very beneficial to children. You can use other children as role models to help other children. There are also enough people to assist you in areas where you may have concerns.

What do you see as the benefits of moving toward inclusive services?
a. broadening of knowledge of children in various areas. b. better educational program for the child a child feels more confident and able to succeed when being with other children their age despite their problem areas. c. It allows the children to stay in a classroom with normal children, while at the same time being pulled out for other services..

Can you offer one or more anecdotes that you feel illustrate the benefits of inclusion?
The more the staff work together to reach the child's needs, the more beneficial the inclusion program will be to the child.