Liz, from Tri-County replied:
Instead of having a self-contained classroom as I once did, I now go to different inclusive settings bringing ideas, books, materials, etc. to the inclusive centers. Occasionally I have taught lessons as well as read stories to the group.

Nancy, from Barkley replied:
In the five years that I have worked with the preschool program at the Barkley Center, I have increased my collaboration skills and expanded my role to working with a greater number of children without disabilities within the classroom setting. Each year, I become even more fully aware of the benefits of an inclusive program.

Pam, from Raintree replied:
In the beginning, I was a teacher concerned with only my classroom and my students. Now I provide support to other staff and students, as well as, continuing to teach full-time. The special education coordinator role evolved as the school's inclusion program developed and became recognized. This role includes the "paperwork issues" surrounding a student with an IEP, as well as providing support for all areas surrounding the inclusive process, including personnel and classroom issues.

Paula, from Bright Futures replied:
My role has changed from being strictly an ECSE teacher, basically serving ECSE children with model children, to teaching an inclusive classroom of ECSE and regular education children in a community preschool.

Renee, from White replied:
As far as the children with IEPs are concerned, I find that I stand in the background more often than I was used to when I was the sole teacher in the class. I let them receive support from their peers or learn from each other, whenever possible. I find that teaching ALL children how to support the program- through behavior and appropriate interactions- really goes a long way. Children learn from children and my role now has an added dimension. Often, I can set-up situations and monitor from afar, or become involved in a less intrusive or less threatening manner than children in self-contained rooms seem to need.

Sharon, from St. Ben's Infant/Toddler replied:
My role has been pretty much the same for the past ten years.

Tina, from St. Ben's Preschool replied:
I had to accept that I am not the only teacher of this classroom. I need to take responsibility for all the students. The children don't know the difference in the staff and their roles. I have to pick and chose what I am willing to live with and what issues or philosophies I can personally change.

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