What is your educational background?
I have a B.S. in occupational therapy from Ohio University.

What other experiences, or staff development has prepared you for inclusion?
I have attended several inclusion workshops within Kansas. Numerous spontaneous and scheduled meetings with teaching staff help us to work together for an inclusive setting.

What is your job role?
I help children improve their hand eye coordination as well as their whole body coordination. I am especially concerned with how children interpret sensory input and perform motor skills in school activities.

What is your role regarding the inclusive component of the program?
I work with the child usually within the classroom setting to help them improve motor skills in classroom activities. I talk with teaching staff within this setting to collaborate on approaches and programs to meet students needs.

How do teachers receive extra training?
through inservice programs, outside workshops, and collaboration with colleagues.

Do teachers help children with disabilities and typically developing peers become friends?
Yes, very much so. Classmates are always mixed. There is no separation of children with disabilities. Friends are considered vital to these children and they also need typically developing peers for models.

How are parents of children with special needs included to participate and get involved with the school?
We have family night for each classroom and all families are encouraged to participate. Parents are very welcome to visit the school and participate in special activities. There are specific posters and pictures on the classroom walls that tell parents what is going on in the classroom. Staff is very helpful to parents regarding needed paperwork, appointments, and transportation.