Questioning confidence in integrated classes

This will be a really interesting piece of research. I am currently involved at looking at beginning teachers and their classroom challenges. The issue of being unprepared to teach special needs children in mainstream class was something that came up in teachers’ responses. Teachers felt helpless and without adequate training or support from the school executive, this factor can add additional stress to the already hectic schedule for a beginning teacher. Teacher’s self-efficacy and confidence can be affected due to the challenges they face with special needs children. With increasing diversity in classrooms, it is imperative that this issue is addressed at the teacher education level so that teachers feel equipped to teach (and manage) these students.