A co-teaching classroom is taught by a regular education teacher and a special education teacher together. It is important to remember in this teaching situation that purposeful, open communication is the key to success. Also to consider are common planning times and constructive criticism. When done right, co-teaching can have a positive impact on every student, including special needs students.
Communication in a Co-Teaching Classroom
When in a co-teaching situation, teachers need to be purposeful and open in their communication. With this type of communication, teachers will set the ground work for planning, teaching, disciplining and ultimately a successful year.
Teachers should discuss what the hope to accomplish through co-teaching. Review teaching styles and how to work together in the classroom to create the optimal learning experience for every student. Discuss how to handle discipline problems, paper work, parent teacher conferences and data collection. Expectations should be clearly understood and reasonable.
Important things to remember: both teachers are highly trained. Both have enough experience to be considered equals in the eyes of the principal, and both have different skill sets to bring to the classroom. Teachers do not need to be best friends or share common after school and weekend activities, but they need to be able to work efficiently together in the classroom.
Co-Teaching Requires Common Planning Times
When co-teaching, it is very important to find a common time to plan together. Whether this time is before school, during the scheduled planning time, over lunch or after school, both teachers need to agree on the time and stick to it.
It is extremely important to plan together so that both highly trained teachers have input on the lessons, activities and time frame for teaching each concept. This time should also be used to discuss any problems among the students and any changes made to student's Individual Education Plans. Once again, be sure to communicate purposefully and openly with each other for the benefit of the students.
Constructive Criticism Helpful in the Classroom
Teachers should be constantly reevaluating strengths and weaknesses in order to become a better teacher. Having supervisors observe teachers is one way to identify weaknesses in order to improve. When co-teaching, there is a valuable resource in the room with the teacher, so each teacher should be sure to utilize that!
Observe each other teach, and when possible, offer and accept constructive criticism in order to improve each other's teaching skills. This should not be considered negative and should be communicated in a way that enables the students to find success in every area possible.
When open communication, common planning times and constructive criticism are all a part of a co-teaching classroom, the students and teachers will all benefit.
Related Information:
A Cooperative Teaching Model - Learn more about what a co-teaching classroom should look like.
What Does it Take to Become a Special Education Teacher? - Find out more about the role of the special educator.
Tasks for Paraprofessionals - Teaching with a paraprofessional in the classroom is different from co-teaching. Find out what tasks are appropriate to have a paraprofessional complete.
Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.
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