One of the most rewarding experiences as a teacher is working with diverse students, including those with special needs. In an inclusive classroom, teachers must be clear about what to do to give their students the best education possible. Here’s an in-depth look at the role of a special education teacher. What are four responsibilities of a teacher in an inclusion classroom?
In this blog, we’ll talk about the four responsibilities of a teacher in an inclusion classroom and how they can help all students learn and grow.
Understanding Inclusive Education
What Are Four Responsibilities of a Teacher in an Inclusion Classroom?
The number of inclusion classrooms in schools across the nation is rising, with a statistic from the U.S. Department of Education stating that 63% of students with disabilities spend at least 80% of their school days in general education classes. The trend towards inclusion has presented instructors with new difficulties and obligations as they now have to manage the various demands of a varied group of kids in a single classroom.
As a teacher in an inclusive classroom, it is crucial to understand the four primary responsibilities of this role. These responsibilities include:
- Differentiating instruction: In an inclusion classroom, you will likely have students with a wide range of abilities and needs. You are responsible for creating a lesson plan that meets all your student’s needs, including those with disabilities. It may involve adapting materials, modifying assignments, or providing additional support.
- Collaborating with other professionals: In an inclusion setting, you may work closely with special education teachers, therapists, and other support staff. Maintaining open communication and collaboration with these professionals is crucial to provide the best possible education for your students.
- Advocating for your students: As a teacher in an inclusion classroom, it is your responsibility to advocate for your student’s needs, including those with disabilities. It may involve working with parents and other professionals to develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or advocating for accommodations or modifications.
- Promoting inclusivity: Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students is essential in an inclusive classroom. It may involve facilitating discussions about diversity and inclusion or simply making a safe and supportive classroom culture.
National Center for Education Statistics
As a teacher in an inclusive classroom, it is crucial to be well-prepared and knowledgeable about the unique needs of your students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, teachers who have received specialized training in working with students with disabilities are more likely to feel confident and prepared to meet these students’ needs.
Suppose you are considering a career as a teacher in an inclusion setting. In that case, it may be helpful to seek additional training and resources best to support the learning and development of your students.
Educating Students With Disabilities in Inclusive Education
Educating children with disabilities in an inclusive setting may present several obstacles for teachers.
Some of these obstacles include:
- It might be challenging to provide differentiated instruction that fits the requirements of all pupils, including those with impairments. Creating lesson plans that are inclusive and accessible for all students may involve a substantial amount of planning and preparation.
- Sometimes, additional resources, such as assistive technology or specific materials, may not be readily available for inclusive education. It can be challenging for teachers attempting to offer their students the finest education possible.
- Limited assistance: Inclusive education needs instructors to interact closely with special education teachers, therapists, and other support personnel. However, schools may only sometimes have enough staff to help all kids.
- Some teachers may oppose the concept of inclusive education because it marks a substantial departure from how they are accustomed to teaching. It could take some time for these educators to feel comfortable and confident in their teaching ability in an inclusive environment.
- Stigmatization and misunderstanding: Peers and society may stigmatize and misunderstand students with impairments. Teachers need to foster acceptance and understanding among all children in the classroom.
Despite these difficulties, many educators think that the benefits of teaching in an inclusive school context greatly exceed the problems. Teachers can assist all students, including those with impairments, achieve their full potential if they have the necessary support and tools.
What is Important for Inclusive Education Understanding?
Welcome to our discussion on understanding inclusive education! Inclusive education is a hot topic in education, as it provides all students, regardless of ability or disability, access to the same high-quality education and support in regular classrooms. But what does it mean to be inclusive, and why is it so important? Let’s dive in and explore these questions together!
There are several key factors to understanding inclusive education:
- Through inclusive education, all children can access the same excellent instruction and support in regular classrooms, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
- It is based on the belief that all students can learn and benefit from being included in the same educational environment, with necessary accommodations and supports provided as needed.
- Inclusive education requires the active participation and collaboration of teachers, administrators, parents, and the wider community to ensure that the needs of all students are met.
Common Myths About Inclusive Education
Some people might not favor inclusive education because they don’t know what it entails. They have preconceived notions about it, such as the idea that it will be too expensive or result in lower academic achievement. They have personal beliefs that run counter to inclusivity, or they are unwilling to make the necessary adjustments to make it work.
These reasons might result from a lack of understanding of the advantages of inclusive education. It might include giving all students access to the same high-quality education and support, encouraging social inclusion and equity, and assisting in preparing students for success in a world that is becoming more diverse and interconnected.
The following are some prevalent myths concerning inclusive education:
- Students with disabilities cannot learn alongside their non-disabled peers.
- Students with disabilities will lower the academic achievement of their non-disabled peers.
- It is too costly to provide the necessary accommodations and support for students with disabilities in regular classrooms.
- Students with disabilities should be segregated in special education classrooms for their benefit.
United Nations Convention on the Rights
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (also known as the CRC) is a human rights document outlining the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of children. On November 20, 1989, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted it, and every member of the United Nations organization except the United States of America has ratified it.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) consists of 54 articles that define children’s rights. These rights include the right to receive an education, the right to receive medical care, the right to be protected from exploitation and abuse, the right to participate in decisions that affect them, the right to freedom of expression, and the right to access information.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has had several significant effects. One of the most important has been an increasing acknowledgment of children’s rights and the requirement to prioritize children’s well-being in every facet of society. In addition, it has formed many policies, programs, and initiatives worldwide to promote and defend children’s rights.
Inclusion Teacher vs. Resource Teacher
An inclusion teacher is a general education teacher responsible for educating a diverse group of pupils, including students with disabilities, in a regular classroom setting. This responsibility falls on the shoulders of the inclusion teacher. The inclusion teacher must provide the necessary accommodations to ensure that all students can fully participate in the classroom and progress in their learning. It supports those students who require them. Inclusion teacher requirements can include the role of special education teacher in inclusive classroom pdf.
A special education teacher who works with kids with disabilities in a resource room or other specialized setting outside the regular classroom is known as a resource teacher. This type of teacher is also known as a resource specialist. Typically on a pull-out basis or in small groups, students with disabilities are assigned to the resource teacher responsible for providing specialized instruction and support to these kids.
Different Responsibilities for a Resource Teacher
Both of these approaches have the same overarching purpose: to encourage the intellectual and social growth of students with impairments and to make it possible for such students to take an active part in the educational process. However, inclusion teachers and resource teachers may have different roles and responsibilities regarding the precise tactics and approaches they utilize to support the learning of children with disabilities. You may also be interested in
Inclusion Teacher Salary
The average salary for an inclusion teacher depends on several things, such as the teacher’s level of education and experience, the state in which they work, and the type of school or district where they work. Most of the time, though, inclusion teachers can expect to make about the same as other teachers.
In 2018-2019, the median annual salary for all public school teachers in the United States was $61,660, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). But it’s important to remember that this number includes teachers of all grade levels and all subjects, so an inclusion teacher’s salary may differ.
Special Education Inclusion Teacher Job Description
An inclusion teacher is responsible for working with students with disabilities in a general education setting. In this role, the teacher will be responsible for the following:
- Collaborating with general education teachers to plan and implement instructional strategies that support the learning and participation of students with disabilities in the regular classroom
- Providing individualized and small group instruction to students with disabilities, as needed
- Providing accommodations and modifications to support the participation and progress of students with disabilities
- Assessing the needs of students with disabilities and collaborating with other special education team members to develop and implement appropriate individualized education plans (IEPs)
- Providing ongoing support and guidance to general education teachers on how to include students with disabilities in their classrooms effectively
- Monitoring the progress of students with disabilities and adjusting instruction as needed
- Participating in professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in special education and inclusion
- Maintaining accurate and confidential records for students with disabilities, including IEPs and progress reports
- Communicating with parents and guardians about the progress and needs of students with disabilities
We hope you enjoyed our discussion of the four responsibilities of a teacher in an inclusion classroom.
About Us:
Jennifer Hanson is a dedicated and seasoned writer specializing in the field of special education. With a passion for advocating for the rights and needs of children with diverse learning abilities, Jennifer uses her pen to educate, inspire, and empower both educators and parents alike.