12 Surefire Ways to Co-Teach Successfully!
1. Introduce each other's roles in the classroom as equal but different. For
example, the general education teacher is introduced as the content area
specialist and the special education teacher is introduced as the learning
strategies specialist. Other co-teaching teams choose to not identify role
differences and simply introduce themselves as "the teachers" of the class.
2. Gain an understanding of personality styles. This knowledge can change your life
as well as improve all your collaborative relationships. Co-teaching is like an
arranged marriage. How you deal with your colleague's personality can make or
break the relationship.
3. Plan daily lessons, activities, tests, assignments, etc. in collaboration with each
other.
4. As much as possible, make sure the entire team is working together, including
the teacher, co-teacher, paraprofessional, parents, and students.
5. Work with each other to effectively implement adaptations, modifications, and
accommodations required by the IEP without reducing content.
6. Collaborate with each other to develop a discipline policy and determine the roles
you will play when discipline is necessary.
7. Make sure both teacher and co-teacher work with all students on an individual
and group basis.
8. Teach, and re-teach, specific learning skills to students that need them.
Reinforce alternative learning techniques.
9. Prep time is minimal and precious, and is not always the same for both coteachers. Therefore, share as much information beforehand as possible through
your school's teacher mailboxes or email so your planning time can be used with
maximum benefit.
10. Partner with colleges and universities to have students who are studying to be
teachers present activities, provide demonstrations, review with games, and help
with test prep to free up time for co-teachers to plan. Teachers will need to plan
in the room because of liability issues; however it's a viable option when
planning time is scarce.
11. Use email and Microsoft Word's "Insert Comments" and "Track Changes" (under
"Tools") features to collaborate on accommodations and adaptations.
12. Be flexible, identify and focus on each co-teacher's strengths, adopt a "They are
ALL my students" attitude, and consider the impact of personality, gender, and
culture differences on your relationship with your co-teacher.
Copyright © 2008, Susan Fitzell & Aim Hi Educational Programs, LLC. First published
October 14, 2008.
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Susan Fitzell, M. Ed, CSP, is a nationally recognized presenter, author of nine books for
teachers, trainers, and parents, an educational consultant, and CEO of Aim Hi
Educational Programs, LLC. As an independent consultant and coach, Susan offers the
personalization, continuity, and consistency necessary for true change in any
organization. She works side by side with teachers, school administrators, and business
leaders as a coach and trainer, employing Brain Power strategies that take learning to
the next level.
For more information, visit Susan's website at www.susanfitzell.com.
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