Enhancing 32 Teachers' Understanding of Students with Borderline Intellectual Functioning and Their School-Based Support Competencies

Enhancing Personalized Education and Counseling Expertise Through Case-Based Practice

Jeollabuk-do Office of Education and JBNU Center for Coaching Psychology Research announced that they held the '2026 Summer In-Service Training for Teachers in Special Fields' from July 27 to 31, 2026, in Room 201 of the JBNU Humanities and Social Sciences Building.

The training brought together a total of 32 participants, including school counselors, special education teachers, seconded teachers, and principals. It was organized to increase understanding of students with borderline intellectual functioning—whose numbers are rising in school settings—and to strengthen capacity for tailored education and counseling.

The program was a 30-hour course and included ▲ Enhancing Teacher Professionalism and Self-Care  ▲ Understanding Students with Borderline Intellectual Functioning ▲ Instructional Strategies According to the Learning Characteristics of Students with Borderline Intellectual Functioning ▲ Understanding the Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics of Students with Borderline Intellectual Functioning ▲ Practical Exercises in Safe Teacher–Student Dialogue ▲ Social Skills Instruction for Students with Borderline Intellectual Functioning ▲ Class-Level Emotional and Behavioral Management Programs ▲ Integrated Case Analysis and Development of Intervention Plans. The curriculum was practice-oriented and immediately applicable in school settings.

The instructional team consisted of experts from various fields. Professor Seongmun Cheon of the Department of Applied Psychology at Pukyong National University delivered a lecture on 'Understanding Teacher Burnout and Relationship Dynamics.' Professor Munseon Kang of the Department of Psychological Counseling at Hanil Jangsin University presented 'Understanding Students with Borderline Intellectual Functioning.' Youngri Kang, Director of the Kangseu Cognitive Learning Center, discussed 'Cognitive and Learning Characteristics of Students with Borderline Intellectual Functioning and Integrated Case Analysis.' Hyunju Lee, Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, JBNU, lectured on the 'Whole-Class Emotional and Behavioral Management Program.' Following these, Haeri Kim, Director of the Dandelion Dream Psychological Counseling Center, spoke on 'Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics of Students with Borderline Intellectual Functioning,' and Hyemi Kim, Director of the Maumbyeol Psychological Counseling Center, led 'Social Skills Instruction for Students with Borderline Intellectual Functioning,' sharing practical cases and intervention strategies applicable in school settings.

In particular, the training emphasized understanding students with borderline intellectual functioning not merely as cases of academic underachievement but through an integrated perspective encompassing cognition, emotion, social skills, and communication. The focus was on equipping teachers with support strategies they can implement in real classrooms. By combining case analysis and hands-on practice, participating teachers developed and shared tailored intervention plans based on individual student characteristics.

Youngsoon Lee, Director of the JBNU Center for Coaching Psychology Research, stated, "Students with borderline intellectual functioning can adapt to school life and achieve growth when they receive appropriate understanding and educational support. I hope this training will serve as an opportunity to enhance teachers' understanding of these students and strengthen psychological and educational support capabilities in school settings."

She added, "We will continue to collaborate with the Office of Education to operate field-centered professional training programs so that teachers can understand students' diverse developmental characteristics and support them effectively."