Open Access“I Just See All Children as Children”: Teachers’ Perceptions About Inclusion
Author(s) -
Jane Leatherman
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2007.1615
Subject(s) - inclusion (mineral) , perception , psychology , narrative , pedagogy , construct (python library) , special needs , narrative inquiry , mathematics education , social psychology , linguistics , philosophy , neuroscience , psychiatry , computer science , programming language
This narrative study examined teachers’ perceptions of their inclusive classrooms. Eight early childhood teachers responded to open-ended interview questions about their experiences teaching children with and without disabilities in the same classroom environment. The social constructivist view of teaching and learning is highlighted as the teachers construct their knowledge of inclusion and how it meets the needs of children with disabilities in the inclusive environment. The following themes emerged from interview analysis: the inclusive classroom is a great place for children, the teacher needs additional education, the teacher needs support from administrators and to be included in decisions about the inclusive classroom, and positive experiences foster successful inclusive classrooms. Suggestions are offered for successful inclusive programs and future research.