Co-Teaching

Co-Teaching is seen more now in schools. It is a way for two different teachers to come together and teach in one classroom. Its ideal approach is to bring two different teachers together and for these teachers to use to best of their teaching abilities to benefit the students. Co-Teaching is usually seen when a special education teacher and a general education teacher will teach a class together. This is good for the special education students because they can get the attention they need from the special education teacher. This will also benefit the general education students because it will give them more ways to learn the context of what they have been taught. Co-Teaching is a way for teachers to combine their expertise and benefit the students on their content knowledge, learning strategies, and more students achieve to a higher standard. Co-Teaching requires a great deal of planning, participation, and joint effort from each teacher. The teachers must make lesson plans together and must agree on how things are going to be setup and run in the classroom.
There are a variety of techniques and ways for teachers to co-teach. One teacher can teach while one observes, teachers teach simultaneously, students rotate through stations, and teachers alternate the teaching lesson. It depends on the students and the dynamic of the classroom on which techniques to choose. However, all of these techniques can be effective. For teachers to be effective at co-teaching they most be open to the idea, willing to work with others, open to share ideas, and be willing to learn from other teachers.