<b>EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL E O PAPEL DO PROFESSOR NO PROCESSO DE INCLUSÃO ESCOLAR: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA</b>

The topic of inclusive education is often characterized by challenges and uncertainties in the school context, in contrast to the supposed firmness and clarity expressed in guidelines and laws. Therefore, it is common for teachers to present considerations based on their experiences with inclusive education, highlighting the importance of training regular classroom teachers to provide educational services to all students, regardless of whether or not they have special needs. This study aims to conduct a literature review on the importance of teachers in the inclusive education process. The methodology used was a literature review, which is characterized as exploratory and descriptive. For inclusive education to be effective, structural and pedagogical changes are necessary to eliminate barriers and promote accessibility for students with different types and degrees of abilities or difficulties. In addition, it is essential that teachers seek training to act as mediators, ensuring an education that improves students' quality of life and prepares them to be conscious citizens, contributing to a society that values ​​diversity. Finally, the central role of the teacher in this process is highlighted, as it is through the teacher that students learn to live with diversity in the classroom, promoting teaching based on understanding and mutual respect, without discrimination, recognizing that differences do not define superiority or inferiority, but are challenges to be overcome.