Early childhood special Education

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Role of the Teacher

  • The role of the teacher is simple: your primary role is always as the advocate for the student.
  • This is true if you are the special ed teacher or the general ed teacher.
  • This means that you cannot put the parents’ wishes, desires, or wants ahead of what you know as a professional are the best choices for the student.

Role of the Teacher

  • This is also true with the institution in which you are involved (child care center, school, private facility, etc.). The needs of the student come first, even if that is in conflict with what the institution is saying is best for the student.
  • In other words, you cannot promote a certain path, just because it is available or cheaper, even if that is what the school would probably prefer you to do. You have to think of what is best for the student’s needs.

Role of the Teacher

  • Remember that as the teacher, whether you are the general education teacher or the special education teacher, you have a lot of influence in the process.
  • You spend more time in an academic/social setting than anyone else with the student, and so you have the best view of what’s needed.
  • You do not determine the student’s needs by yourself, but you will have a major role in the recommendations of the special ed team.
  • As the teacher or childcare provider (preschool), you are part of the special ed team.

Role of the Teacher

  • You will make recommendations and give your thoughts and data to the special ed team.
  • You will give your professional opinion as to the best choices for the student.
  • The special ed team makes the decision together. This means that although you recommend something, the team may not follow it.
  • You can discuss and advocate for your point of view, but remember that ultimately, it is the special ed team, as a whole, that makes the recommendation.

Role of the Teacher

  • If you are unhappy with the results of the team, it is still your professional responsibility to follow the recommendations to the best of your ability.

Role of the Teacher

  • Your responsibilities include:
  • Collecting data (work samples, informal assessment data, conducting screenings)
  • Keeping records: If the student has an IEP/IFSP, you need to keep it updated, collecting documentation of interventions, strategies used, etc.
  • Implementing the classroom recommendations of the special ed team
  • Trying new strategies, curriculum, materials to achieve maximum learning/growth for the student.

Role of the Teacher

  • All of these responsibilities will be important when you attend parent conferences, special ed team meetings, or other meetings.
  • You will be asked to discuss the interventions you have conducted and the their success at these meetings.
  • You will be asked to present your data and observations at these meetings.

Role of the Teacher

  • This is true if you are either the general education teacher or the special education teacher.
  • As the general education teacher, you will have a lesser role in the development of the IEP/IFSP than the special education teacher, but in either role, you must always be professional toward the student and the family.

Role of the Teacher

  • If you are the general education teacher, you may feel unprepared for teaching and dealing with an included student on a daily basis.
  • Remember that the IEP/IFSP will determine what you teach this child, how you teach, and what supports are needed with the student.
  • As a teacher, it is your responsibility to look for resources to help you effectively teach and include your included student.
  • Resources might be: assistance from the special education teacher, other support personnel, classes, trainings, reading books/articles, asking questions of others, etc.
  • You cannot say you are not prepared to teach a child with a disability in your included classroom. This is against federal law! It is your responsibility to get the skills needed to effectively teach this child.

Role of the Teacher

  • In many school systems, there is much support for general ed teachers.
  • However, even if there is not a lot of system support, it is still your responsibility to effectively teach the included student.
  • You also cannot foist your responsibility onto others-other teachers, aides, paraprofessionals, support staff, etc.
  • To get assistance, meet with the special ed team, special ed teacher/consult, or call the special ed office of the school system. Google information, read, and practice!

Role of the Teacher

  • You also cannot use the effect of having an included student in your classroom as a reason to exclude, isolate, or not teach the included student.
  • Federal law doesn’t care how the other students are affected by the behaviors of an included student.
  • Again, it is your responsibility to learn to manage behaviors and integrate the included student into the social and instructional fabric of your classroom.
  • If learning is not possible for the included student because of their behaviors or issues, then documentation is needed to show that you have tried all appropriate strategies, materials, resources to assist this student in being successful.
  • This means you must understand what to do to manage and teach effectively. Use your resources in the school and system to be successful and effective with your included student!

Role of the Teacher

  • In conclusion, your role is to be an advocate for the student,
  • Use effective teaching, learning, and behavioral supports and strategies to assist with learning,
  • Document the progress (or lack of progress) using these strategies
  • Find and use resources to do this if needed,
  • Follow the IEP/IFSP,
  • Be respectful and professional of the family, student, parents, and other professionals at all times, and
  • Integrate the included student into your classroom so they are truly a member of your classroom.

Role of the Teacher

  • Another role the teacher plays is that of parent advocate-but only if this is not in conflict with your primary role as student advocate.
  • In this role, you may:
  • Advise parents
  • Answer questions
  • Provide resources
  • Be a support

However, even if you cannot be an advocate for the parent, you must still be respectful and professional, and answer any questions they may have.

Role of the Teacher

  • As you can see, the role of the teacher, whether you are the general education teacher or the special education teacher, is crucial to ensuring that the child is truly included in the classroom and that the strategies needed for success are implemented effectively.
  • And finally the teacher must ensure that data is collected and presented in a logical and clear manner to the special ed team.
  • Remember that without your input, the special ed team will not get an accurate picture of the child’s progress in your classroom and then could not appropriately assess next steps for the child.
  • Developed and written by Teresa L. Bridger, Ph.D.