Publishing 6 Integrating Support Personnel in the Inclusive Classroom

ALTHOUGH CLASSROOM TEACHERS have a range of curricular and instructional skills, educating some students in inclusive classrooms requires contributions from professionals representing a variety of disciplines. The need for the services of support personnel in inclusive classrooms is not a negative reflection on the adequacy of. classroom teachers. Instead, it reminds us that no single individual, no matter what her or his discipline or experience, has the ability to meet the range of diverse student needs that may be present in a heterogeneous classroom. One of the most significant contributions any educational team member can make is to identify and build on an individual student's strengths and gifts to form a basis for future success in personal, academic, and vocational pursuits. When given a choice, people rarel