Myth 1. Co-teaching is for some students, but not all.

This is simply not true. Co-teaching is effective for all different types of learners, regardless if your child has academic challenges or not. The beauty of co-teaching is that the skills being taught in each subject area can be adjusted to meet all types of learners. 

Co-teaching is a way of teaching that improves the student-to-teacher ratio, which in turn improves individualized instruction and increases student engagement.

Myth 2. You can’t co-teach if you are not a designated “co-teacher”

Co-teachers do not have to just be special education teachers or para educators and general education teachers working together. Tap into the strengths of other staff members in the building to be a co-teacher. This could be a building reading specialist, school therapists, students, the principal, custodians, parents, and enrichment specialists.

Who are some staff members that could be co-teaching in your child’s classrooms?

Myth 3. Co-teaching is for the adults

Students can shine as a co-teacher when they are given the opportunity. Keep in mind the old adage, you can learn more by teaching others.  For many students, time spent teaching what they’ve learned leads to better mastery of the subject and greater retention of information.

This learning strategy is usually thought of as “peer tutoring” but there are many other ways to go about it. Teachers can have students show what they learned in class with a project or presentation. Educators could also develop interactive assignments in which students “teach” what they learned in class to a family member at home.

Now that you know some common co-teaching myths, let the debunking began! The most important thing you can do is share the benefits of co-teaching.

Benefits of Co-Teaching

*** Disabled students can receive supports in their general education classes.

*** Co-teaching increases access to natural peer supports.

*** All students will have access to a wide range of learning supports.

*** Related service providers (SLPs, OTs, PTs, Vision specialists, etc.) can model for the general educators how to support the student when the specialist is not at the school.

*** There’ll be more opportunities for students to experience independence and interdependence.

*** Students can learn with and from diverse learners.

Advocacy Action Steps to Take

1. Share co-teaching benefits with a friend.

2. If you’re a parent, share co-teaching myths and benefits with your school board members at the next meeting.

3. If you are an educator, talk to other educators about how to dispel these myths in their schools and in the community that they serve.

4. Think like a marketer and “sell” co-teaching by using social media, connecting with local news reporters, speaking to parent groups, and at community meetings to share the benefits of co-teaching.

5. One of my favorite strategies to bust myths is through workshops and professional development. Share Paula Kluth’s upcoming Kick-Off Co-Teaching event and encourage parents and educators to register for it today. Click here for the link.

Want more information about co-teaching? Click the video below to watch the replay of the show.  Remember, you can have fun while learning!