"Taking care of self-development and constant search is a crucial factor for successful work" says Tamar Kitesashvili, a special teacher at Tbilisi Public School №136, who was awarded the status of Senior Special Teacher at the beginning of the year and became one of the most successful teachers. At the same time, she is a volunteer of the Georgian Red Cross, which she is also very proud of. However, despite the busy learning process, she thinks that taking care of self-development, more practical experience and constant search are the decisive factors for successful work.

Tamar Kitesashvili has taken various practical courses to work with integrated classes and students with multiple disorders:

"I have a bachelor's degree in law. From childhood I wanted to be a person who would help others. I imagined that I could fulfil this wish for myself while working as a lawyer. However, after graduating from university, I participated in the project "Georgian Language for Future Success" and became a volunteer teacher in one of the villages of Javakheti.

I started working with students with different needs without any experience. Despite the difficulties, my motivation grew more and more, and every little step forward, a new learned word, was considered a great achievement. At the end of the school year, I no longer really thought about it, I decided to continue my studies in the field of education. While choosing the faculties, I accidentally found a newly established special education faculty at Ilia University and, fortunately, I even passed it” - recalls a successful teacher.

As for all special teachers, Tamar Kitesashvili's work process at school is conducting individual lessons, and focusing on the development of academic, motor, cognitive, functional skills, development of learning resources, taking into account the interests of all students, assisting students in the lesson process, identifying their needs. However, the biggest challenge for her was distance learning:

"It was very emotional for me. First, I found it really hard, to conduct a lesson from the screen. Additionally, several obstacles arose because parents, due to the needs of the student, were sometimes unable to provide assistance, and sometimes children were not in the mood to engage in online lessons and there were instances of absenteeism. The process was relatively regulated when students with special educational needs were allowed to take individual lessons, and indeed, almost all parents benefited from this service. Obviously, the subject teachers were also quite involved.

A great deal of responsibility has also shifted to parents in distance learning, so we have intensified our work with them. In addition to practicing cognitive skills, motor skills, and academic skills with various small activities, I also write two- to three-minute video tutorials. We all succeeded together” -  the teacher recalled.

It is gratifying for the teacher that today the public awareness in this regard has become much higher, which, of course, contributes to the development of inclusive education.

"I want to ask all my colleagues to always protect the rights of children."

Finally, Tamar Kitesashvili thinks that achieving the set goals is impossible without positive attitudes at the school environment, but the most important thing is the love received from children.