Colquitt County Schools Co-Teaching Colquitt County Schools

Are You Confused? resource collaboration consultative Self contained Team teaching

Co-Teaching …IS! Co-teaching is when two or more teachers (usually general education and special education) SHARE teaching responsibilities within a classroom. Both teachers INTERACT with all of the students at different times. Using VARIOUS ARRANGEMENTS of students, groups, and furniture so that each student’s educational needs are met.

Co-Teaching IS NOT! One teacher teaching, the other as a paraprofessional. Taking care of other duties during class (paperwork, attendance, discipline, etc.) Showing up “as needed”. Working with one or the same students every day. Students with disabilities separated from the rest of the class.

“Co-Teachers are jointly committed to “our” students, not “YOURS” and “MINE”.

Co-Teaching requires: Courageous Conversations:

Must Have Talks: To build a relationship that will be successful and will benefit the students.

Co-Teaching Talk: What are our instructional beliefs? What are our roles and responsibilities? How will we handle classroom management? How will we handle planning? How will be approach problem solving? What are our “pet peeves”?

Planning BEFORE Co-Teaching. How will you introduce yourself to parents and students? How and when will you review IEPs together? Where do I put my things? Do I have a desk? How and when will we share lesson planning? How will we handle discipline? How will we run the classroom? What rituals and routines will we encorporate?

Behavior DURING Co-Teaching: Successful: Not so much: Both be present and on time. Both are prepared to teach. Both teachers work with all students. One comes and goes “as needed” One comes in and finds out the plan at the last minute. These are “yours” and these are “mine”.

Pet Peeves can TRASH C0-Teaching: Cell phone use Personal business Absences due to other duties (required by administrators or others) Lack of preparation or knowledge of the subject. TALK ABOUT IT!

The FIVE Models of Co-Teaching Find the ones that work for you and your partner. Remember, it is all about the students’ needs.

One Teach, One Assist. assist One teacher leads the lesson and one teacher observes and assists ALL students. Swap roles often. teach

Pros and Cons of Teach/Assist The Strengths: The Weaknesses: Limited planning needed. Provides constant support to all students. If roles are not swapped often, one teacher feels like an assistant. Students may question the authority of the assisting teacher. Most Important Point: SWAP ROLES OFTEN.

One Teach, One Assist Junior High School math class with the special education teacher leading and the regular education teacher assisting.

One Teach, One Assist. Middle School Math class where the one who teaches and the one who assists changes often.

One Teach, One Assist. High School History class with the regular education teacher leading and the special education teacher assisting.

Alternative Teaching teacher teacher One teacher works with a large group. One with a small group. Same standard, possibly differing methods. teacher

Pros and Cons of Alternative Teaching. The Strengths: The Weaknesses: All students get the chance to be in a small group when needed. Teachers swap roles and work with both groups. Groups are ever changing based upon instructional needs. Groups can become static. Make sure both teachers get a chance to lead in both types of groups.

Alternative Teaching. Junior High School Math class with the regular education teacher leading the larger group while the special education teacher leads the smaller group. Same lesson, same standard. Accommodation: calculators.

Parallel Teaching teacher teacher The class is divided in half. Both teachers plan instruction jointly and are teaching the same less at the same time to mixed groups. teacher

Pros and Cons of Parallel Teaching Strengths: Weaknesses: Smaller student to teacher ratio. Increased interaction with the teacher. Allows for closer monitoring of students. Requires careful planning. Instruction must be the same. Noise level can be a problem.

Parallel Teaching Half the class with one teacher, half with the other. No ability grouping. Same reading lesson. Same materials.

Station Teaching Also called “centers” the instructional activities are spread around the room with the two teachers leading different activities.

Pros and Cons of Station Teaching Strengths: Weaknesses: Engagement of all students and both teachers. Cover more material in a short time. Individualization. Pacing Students must be taught how to use the stations. Movement must be monitored. Noise level.

Station Teaching A computer station within a classroom.

Team Teaching Team teacher Team teacher Both teachers share in the instruction of students. One may lead the discussion while one models or one may demonstrate while one presents. A true team approach. These teachers can finish each others’ sentences! Team teacher

Pros and Cons of Team Teaching Strengths: Weaknesses: Both teachers contribute all lessons. Blended teaching styles. Students benefit from two experts who support each other. Both must be present and on task. Requires planning. Requires knowledge of the subject material by both teachers. Requires trust and commitment.

Team Teaching No territories here….free movement and teachers completing each others’ thoughts.

Team Teaching Junior High School History class with teachers teaming to present an interactive lesson on colonization.

Planning for Co-Teaching How, When, and What?

Planning is Essential! Joint planning time Management of IEPs Division of responsibilities Classroom management Communication with parents

Co-Teaching Benefits. Students benefit from more than one teacher. Teachers learn from each other. Allows for small group and individualization. Develops teamwork Provides different ways to approach learning Divides the work between teachers.

Critical Conditions: Teachers must be present in class every day. Planning time must be provided. Strong co-teaching teams must be kept together. Teachers who will never be comfortable with co- teaching should not be put in that situation. Teachers must be knowledgeable about the subject matter.

Co-Teachers must have honest conversations with each other! Above ALL: talk talk talk talk Co-Teachers must have honest conversations with each other!

Sources: Georgia State University Georgia Department of Education, Special Education Division Prince George County Public Schools Summer Hall, IEP Coordinator, Colquitt County Schools Colquitt County Classrooms, students, and teachers.