Interview

In order to get some outside views on inclusive classrooms I interviewed a teacher who has experience with this type of classroom.

Miss. R, a first year teacher who was placed in an inclusion classroom.  She has a bachelors degree in early childhood education from The University of Texas at Austin, and has no prior experience or special training dealing with special education/disabled children.  She has one aid in her classroom to help with the disabled children.

Me: How has your first year of teaching been?

Miss R: It's been good, very hard at times, but also rewarding. Sometimes I can't believe I have my own classroom and that I am in charge of all of these first graders, it's pretty crazy.

Me: Were you surprised that you were placed in an inclusion classroom with very little teaching experience?

Miss R: Yes! I was seriously kind of shocked. I didn't have experience with special education during my student teaching, and last year when I was a teacher assistant there weren't any special ed. kids in that room either so it has definitely been a learning experience, to say the least.

Me: Does your classroom aid have any special education training?

Miss R: She has some, and she is really good with the kids, but honestly I was expecting someone more trained in the field of special education.  It is sort of....well I guess strange, that they  entrust the education of disabled children with such inexperienced  teachers. I feel like I can handle anything after this year. 

Me: I bet! What are your views on inclusive classrooms? If you had a disabled child would you want them in a special ed. room or a general ed. room?

Miss R: From my experience, the inclusive setting is pretty good. The kids get along and are quite accepting for the most part. Of course there are good and bad days, but they seem to all be learning from each other and making good progress.  HMM... If I had a disabled child... I think I would want them to be in an inclusive classroom. I think they would deserve that.