CHALLENGES OF TEAM-BASED TRAINING FOR EDUCATORS
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Abstract
The article addresses the critical challenges of forming interdisciplinary teams in special and inclusive education and evaluates the effectiveness of team-building training for future professionals (Speech-language Therapists). Based on a literature review of international practices (2021–2025), the authors identify key barriers: role ambiguity, communication gaps between pedagogical and medical staff, lack of co-teaching skills, and emotional distance in family partnerships. The study presents the results of an updated "Team Building Training" program at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University. A survey of 35 students (30.4% response rate) demonstrated a significant positive impact: 87% of respondents reported high or sufficient levels of improvement in understanding support team operations, communication (soft skills), and collaboration. Correlation analysis (р = 0.892) confirmed a strong link between communication skills and effective teamwork. Qualitative data highlighted that students most valued interpersonal bonding and practical case-solving, confirming the training’s success in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and collaborative practice. The empirical part of the study focuses on the internal dynamics of professional competence development through quantitative and qualitative indicators. Statistical processing of the data revealed a strong positive correlation between communication skills and the effectiveness of teamwork, as well as between collaborative interaction and a clear cognitive understanding of the support team's structure. Qualitative analysis of open-ended questions showed that students prioritized "interpersonal bonding" and "practical case modeling" as the most valuable resources for their future careers. These findings suggest that addressing the "soft skills" deficit is a primary factor in increasing the resilience of special education teams to professional burnout and ensuring a non-formal approach to inclusion.
How to Cite
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team building, training, professionals of special education, inclusive education, soft skills, interdisciplinary collaboration
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