Marilyn Friend

Definition

Marilyn Friend is a notable figure in the field of special education, recognized for her contributions to inclusive education practices and teacher training. Her work emphasizes the importance of collaboration among educators, families, and community members to create effective learning environments for students with diverse needs. Friend's frameworks and models are widely utilized in developing strategies that support both students with disabilities and their peers in general education settings.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Marilyn Friend developed the co-teaching model that helps educators work together to meet the diverse needs of students in inclusive classrooms.
2. Her book, 'Co-Teaching: A Guide to Effective Practice,' is widely referenced for practical strategies on how teachers can collaborate in inclusive settings.
3. Friend advocates for professional development focused on collaboration skills for teachers to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
4. She emphasizes the role of families in supporting inclusive education, highlighting the importance of partnerships between home and school.
5. Marilyn Friend's frameworks encourage the use of evidence-based practices to enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement.

Review Questions

• How does Marilyn Friend's work on co-teaching impact inclusive education practices?
  • Marilyn Friend's work on co-teaching has significantly influenced inclusive education by providing a structured approach for educators to collaborate effectively. By promoting shared responsibility among teachers, her models help address the diverse needs of students with disabilities within general education classrooms. This collaborative strategy not only benefits students with special needs but also enriches the learning experience for all students by fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
• What strategies does Marilyn Friend suggest for enhancing collaboration among educators in inclusive settings?
  • Marilyn Friend suggests several strategies for enhancing collaboration among educators in inclusive settings, including clear communication, mutual respect, and joint planning sessions. She emphasizes the need for co-teachers to establish shared goals and co-develop lesson plans that integrate various teaching methods. Additionally, ongoing professional development focused on collaborative practices is crucial to ensure that teachers are equipped with the skills needed to support all learners effectively.
• Evaluate the significance of Marilyn Friend's contributions to special education and their implications for future practices.
  • Marilyn Friend's contributions to special education are significant as they laid the groundwork for modern inclusive practices and collaborative teaching models. Her emphasis on co-teaching and family involvement has reshaped how educators approach instruction for students with disabilities. As the field continues to evolve, her frameworks will likely influence future practices by encouraging educators to adopt flexible, evidence-based strategies that foster inclusion and support diverse learners' needs across all educational settings.

Related terms

Inclusion: The practice of educating students with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers in a general education environment.

Co-teaching: An instructional approach where two or more teachers work together to plan, teach, and assess students in the same classroom.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL): An educational framework that guides the development of flexible learning environments to accommodate individual learning differences.