Within the Classroom Doors: Unveiling the Lived Experiences of General Education Teachers in Handling Learners with Special Educational Needs

General education teachers are professionals equipped to teach learners in general education classrooms. However, due to the insufficient number of qualified special education teachers and the rising number of students with disabilities, these teachers are compelled to handle learners with special...

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Main Authors: Lionelle Rei Balgos, Nora Jovina Albores
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya 2025-05-01
Series:Education Human and Development Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journal2.unusa.ac.id/index.php/EHDJ/article/view/6604
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author Lionelle Rei Balgos
Nora Jovina Albores
author_facet Lionelle Rei Balgos
Nora Jovina Albores
author_sort Lionelle Rei Balgos
collection DOAJ
description General education teachers are professionals equipped to teach learners in general education classrooms. However, due to the insufficient number of qualified special education teachers and the rising number of students with disabilities, these teachers are compelled to handle learners with special needs. This study aimed to explore and understand the lived experiences of general education teachers in handling learners with special educational needs. The researcher employed qualitative research, particularly phenomenological design. Seventeen teachers were purposively chosen and interviewed through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, using a validated interview guide.  Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns of themes in the interview data. The results showed that teachers collectively experienced challenges in instructional skills, negative attitudes toward work, uncooperative parents, behavioral issues, and the responsibilities of teaching learners with special educational needs. An analysis of participants' responses revealed that teachers overcame challenges by self-up-skilling through internet resources, demonstrating adaptability, utilizing support systems, and maintaining strong faith in God. The participants shared insights on the belief that teaching is a noble profession and the need for special education training and seminars for non-special education teachers.
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publisher Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya
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spelling doaj-art-3a987f2f94534b91aa46e2a7a83325652025-08-20T03:52:38ZengUniversitas Nahdlatul Ulama SurabayaEducation Human and Development Journal2541-01562599-02922025-05-019310.33086/ehdj.v9i3.6604Within the Classroom Doors: Unveiling the Lived Experiences of General Education Teachers in Handling Learners with Special Educational NeedsLionelle Rei Balgos0Nora Jovina Albores1University of Immaculate ConceptionUniversity of Immaculate Conception General education teachers are professionals equipped to teach learners in general education classrooms. However, due to the insufficient number of qualified special education teachers and the rising number of students with disabilities, these teachers are compelled to handle learners with special needs. This study aimed to explore and understand the lived experiences of general education teachers in handling learners with special educational needs. The researcher employed qualitative research, particularly phenomenological design. Seventeen teachers were purposively chosen and interviewed through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, using a validated interview guide.  Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns of themes in the interview data. The results showed that teachers collectively experienced challenges in instructional skills, negative attitudes toward work, uncooperative parents, behavioral issues, and the responsibilities of teaching learners with special educational needs. An analysis of participants' responses revealed that teachers overcame challenges by self-up-skilling through internet resources, demonstrating adaptability, utilizing support systems, and maintaining strong faith in God. The participants shared insights on the belief that teaching is a noble profession and the need for special education training and seminars for non-special education teachers. https://journal2.unusa.ac.id/index.php/EHDJ/article/view/6604Special EducationPhenomenologyPhilippines
spellingShingle Lionelle Rei Balgos
Nora Jovina Albores
Within the Classroom Doors: Unveiling the Lived Experiences of General Education Teachers in Handling Learners with Special Educational Needs
Education Human and Development Journal
Special Education
Phenomenology
Philippines
title Within the Classroom Doors: Unveiling the Lived Experiences of General Education Teachers in Handling Learners with Special Educational Needs
title_full Within the Classroom Doors: Unveiling the Lived Experiences of General Education Teachers in Handling Learners with Special Educational Needs
title_fullStr Within the Classroom Doors: Unveiling the Lived Experiences of General Education Teachers in Handling Learners with Special Educational Needs
title_full_unstemmed Within the Classroom Doors: Unveiling the Lived Experiences of General Education Teachers in Handling Learners with Special Educational Needs
title_short Within the Classroom Doors: Unveiling the Lived Experiences of General Education Teachers in Handling Learners with Special Educational Needs
title_sort within the classroom doors unveiling the lived experiences of general education teachers in handling learners with special educational needs
topic Special Education
Phenomenology
Philippines
url https://journal2.unusa.ac.id/index.php/EHDJ/article/view/6604
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