An early childhood teacher may have a variety of educational backgrounds and qualifications. For teaching children from kindergarten through age eight, state certification is generally required. Responsibilities of the EC teacher include planning and instruction for a group of children from birth through age eight.

Below are several questions that regular education teachers have answered to help you understand their role in an inclusive program. Click on the link after the question to read the responses.

Anne, Carolyn, Connie, Darla, Jennifer, Michelle, Missy, Kikki and Shannon, please tell us:

. . . what is your educational background? "I hold a degree in ..."

. . . what other experiences, or staff development has prepared you for inclusion? "I have worked as ..."

. . . what is your job role? "I teach in a ..."

. . . what is your role regarding the inclusive component of the program? "My role in working with..."

. . . how has your role changed or have you adapted your role as it is related to the inclusive program? "My role in our ..."

. . . what were your biggest concerns about participating in an inclusive program? "Some of my concerns were ..."

. . . what were your experiences related to these concerns once inclusive services were implemented? "By keeping a flexible..."

. . . what do you see as the benefit of moving toward inclusive services? "I think inclusive classrooms..."

. . . can you offer one or more anecdotes that you feel illustrate the benefits of inclusion? "I remember when "L,"..."