What is your educational background?
I have a Bachelor's degree in Social Work.

What other experiences, or staff development has prepared you for inclusion?
My work experiences were always with young children. While I was in school, I taught at day care centers, church school, summer camps, Head Start, and I was also a nanny for two summers. The best experiences have been work related experiences with different children at our school each year.

What is your job role?
I am a Lead Teacher for Catholic Community Services. I co-teach with a Special Educator from the Wyandotte County School District #500.

What is your role regarding the inclusive component of the program?
I am a member of a TEAM (of four staff members in our classroom). I over see the overall makeup of the classroom.

How has your role changed or have you adapted your role as it relates to the inclusive program?
My role as a "team player" stays consistent each year. I adapt my role as a "teacher" to meet the needs of the children in my class each year. Some years I do more medications, or more one-on-one activities. You must be flexible each year to your responsibilities..

What were your biggest concerns about participating in an inclusive program?
I was concerned about having enough knowledge and resources to care for all of my children.

What were your experiences related to these concerns once inclusive services were implemented?
Resources and information have ALWAYS been accessible in this program. I have always felt very secure in that aspect of this program. I have received information and assistance on everything from medical, speech and behavioral issues to social work concerns; abuse and family death.

What do you see as the benefits of moving toward inclusive services?
The special needs children and peer models have the exposure to learn together and about one another.

Can you offer one or more anecdotes that you feel illustrate the benefits of inclusion?
One day a peer model in my classroom asked why another child in the class was fed with a feeding tube. At circle time we talked about why the tube was used instead of a spoon. It was a great experience for the whole class to learn about a "different way to eat," and why that child is fed that way.