Comments on: Video on The Benefits of Co-Teaching: A Blast from 2005 http://beyond-school.org/2008/01/04/video-on-the-benefits-of-co-teaching-a-blast-from-2005/ . . . and beyond "schooliness" - notes of a 20th c. teaching drop-out Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:30:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Damian http://beyond-school.org/2008/01/04/video-on-the-benefits-of-co-teaching-a-blast-from-2005/#comment-1476 Damian Mon, 07 Jan 2008 01:11:41 +0000 http://beyond-school.org/2008/01/04/video-on-the-benefits-of-co-teaching-a-blast-from-2005/#comment-1476 My school has four courses that are co-taught by English and Social Studies teachers, and I've been lucky enough to have been the English half of one for the past eight years. There's definitely something familial about that setup, and it sounds like you and I have had similar positive experiences with our co-teachers . Another approach, as Penelope mentions, is the special ed/content area teachers teaming up. I've found this to be a slightly trickier setup - some special ed teachers are content to act as "support" only (then why do you get paid a teacher's salary??), and some content area teachers are reluctant to share "stage time" with someone who's not certified in "their" area. I've found the best situation to be when the special ed and content area teachers present equally - in general, the kids dig the interplay between the adults, especially when it's done with good humor. Aside from the benefits you mentioned in your post, the difference in teacher personalities also gives kids some elbowroom in terms of personal comfort zones - a student who, for whatever reason, doesn't feel comfortable addressing an issue with me might identify better with my co-teacher, thus allowing for personal connections that might not have been established with just one teacher in the room. One of my special ed inclusion co-teachers did such a great job, I ended up marrying her! <em>Damian's last blog post..<a href='http://apaceofchange.edublogs.org/2008/01/05/a-rerun-already-meme-edition/' rel="nofollow">A Rerun Already? (Meme Edition)</a></em> My school has four courses that are co-taught by English and Social Studies teachers, and I’ve been lucky enough to have been the English half of one for the past eight years. There’s definitely something familial about that setup, and it sounds like you and I have had similar positive experiences with our co-teachers .

Another approach, as Penelope mentions, is the special ed/content area teachers teaming up. I’ve found this to be a slightly trickier setup - some special ed teachers are content to act as “support” only (then why do you get paid a teacher’s salary??), and some content area teachers are reluctant to share “stage time” with someone who’s not certified in “their” area.

I’ve found the best situation to be when the special ed and content area teachers present equally - in general, the kids dig the interplay between the adults, especially when it’s done with good humor. Aside from the benefits you mentioned in your post, the difference in teacher personalities also gives kids some elbowroom in terms of personal comfort zones - a student who, for whatever reason, doesn’t feel comfortable addressing an issue with me might identify better with my co-teacher, thus allowing for personal connections that might not have been established with just one teacher in the room.

One of my special ed inclusion co-teachers did such a great job, I ended up marrying her!

Damian’s last blog post..A Rerun Already? (Meme Edition)

]]> By: Penelope http://beyond-school.org/2008/01/04/video-on-the-benefits-of-co-teaching-a-blast-from-2005/#comment-1439 Penelope Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:15:34 +0000 http://beyond-school.org/2008/01/04/video-on-the-benefits-of-co-teaching-a-blast-from-2005/#comment-1439 Co-teaching is the most awesome experience ever. I co-teach 3 inclusion classes these days, and I love having another adult in the room. Last year me and an English teacher buddy of mine would get our 11th grade classes together for some histlish on a regular basis, too. Can't do it this year. :( <em>Penelope's last blog post..<a href='http://invisibleteacher.blogspot.com/2008/01/5-dangerous-things.html' rel="nofollow">5 Dangerous Things</a></em> Co-teaching is the most awesome experience ever. I co-teach 3 inclusion classes these days, and I love having another adult in the room. Last year me and an English teacher buddy of mine would get our 11th grade classes together for some histlish on a regular basis, too. Can’t do it this year. :(
Penelope’s last blog post..5 Dangerous Things

]]> By: Open Thread 2: Your Dream Elective Class for a 1:1 High School? | Beyond School http://beyond-school.org/2008/01/04/video-on-the-benefits-of-co-teaching-a-blast-from-2005/#comment-1436 Open Thread 2: Your Dream Elective Class for a 1:1 High School? | Beyond School Fri, 04 Jan 2008 23:12:46 +0000 http://beyond-school.org/2008/01/04/video-on-the-benefits-of-co-teaching-a-blast-from-2005/#comment-1436 [...] see this as an opportunity to experiment. And to co-teach with anybody out there with an idea needing a classroom - maybe one of the many administrator, [...] [...] see this as an opportunity to experiment. And to co-teach with anybody out there with an idea needing a classroom - maybe one of the many administrator, [...]

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