#2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. We chat every Tuesday night at 8 pm EST using #2ndaryELA. We'd love for you to join us!
A2 Best experience is with @DanielleDerwich bc we both had ownership of the room, planned together and taught together with the best interest of the kids in mind at all times. High Expectations. #2ndaryELA
A1: How do you make it work? We have inclusion support from a fellow teacher, but I often feel like I'm not reaping the benefits of having a co-teacher. #2ndaryELA
A3 Take turns, acknowledge each other, enjoy the class, and make sure the kids know that you are BOTH equally in charge from day one. NEVER make decisions when you are unsure what the other person wants, always collaborate. #2ndaryELA
A2 Some teachers are happy to have me lead a lesson others more comfortable having me support students. I try to accommodate their comfort since its their classroom #2ndaryELA
And since we work so well together, we incorporate different ideas into a lesson or maybe share different ideas on the same topics together for better understanding. #2ndaryELA
A2 We don't get a lot of planning time together so it is hard to be truly equals. I've been working with the same teachers for 2-3 years now so it does get easier #2ndaryELA
A2 This is where I differ in my thoughts. When there is a co-teacher, it should be BOTH teacher's classroom for that time. If the classroom belongs to both, everyone feels more invested and everyone benefits. #2ndaryELA
A3 Sitting down and having clear expectations of each others' roles and responsibilities is key. Also knowing each others' strengths and weaknesses #2ndaryELA
A4 Continue to be open and express your opinion. Let the other teacher know that you need to have input--to assist the EC kids, to modify an assignment, and/or to provide your professional input to the assignments. Start small, move to equality. #2ndaryELA
A4 I've been the lead teacher with a terrible co-teacher who would rather have total control than work together :/ This individual didn't know how to engage students and treated them poorly, created all sorts of problems #2ndaryELA
#2ndaryELA A4 Learning from one another is so important. I am lucky as an EC teacher to have been able to teach with people who allow me to express myself and my ideas along side of their own.
I think clear expectations are crucial. Personally, I feel much more confident in my lessons when I know exactly what is expected of me #2ndaryELA#ed4338
A5: Split it in half. Do not give co-teacher just EC student work. Split class in half for grading using the same rubric. Plan together & focus on each of your strengths. #2ndaryELA
A5 For marking take turns with different assignments so both teachers get to see all students' work. Try to plan as much as possible together and divvy up creation of materials #2ndaryELA
Ugh. Tried to limit interactions with him as much as possible. I told him I'd do all the planning, lead all the lessons, etc. As often as possible I had him pull out small groups of students I knew would work okay with him to get him out of my room #2ndaryELA
