Today, the European Conference titled “Resource Teachers and Special Educational Needs in Inclusive Education” is being held at the Grand Hotel “Millennium Sofia” in Sofia. The event is jointly organized by the Regional Center for Support of Inclusive Education – Sofia City and the National Association of Resource Teachers. The conference was opened by Ms. Maria Gaydarova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, who highlighted the importance of resource teachers in schools.

The conference brings together over 100 representatives from regional centers across the country, members of the academic community associated with inclusive education, students from pedagogical faculties, and representatives from educational institutions in Bulgaria. Special participants include members of the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education, such as Ms. Adriana Statakopoulou, National Coordinator for Germany, and Dr. Kaloyan Damanov, National Coordinator for Bulgaria.

Guest speakers will present the following topics:

•             “Inclusive Education in Germany and the Work of Teachers for Children with Special Needs” by Adriana Statakopoulou from Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.

•             “Why the Classroom Terrifies Me – The Perspective of Students with Autism” by Tessa Morton from Act for Autism, UK.

•             “Functional Assessment in the Republic of North Macedonia – Introduction and Implementation” by Goran Petrushev, President of the Association of Special Teachers, North Macedonia.

Representatives from the academic community, including professors from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski”, as well as leading national lecturers at the applied level will also join the conference.

This event marks a significant opportunity to share knowledge and discuss advancements in the field of inclusive education, focusing on resource teachers and the specific challenges and needs of students with special educational requirements.