Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Go Back                 Case Posted on October 18, 2015 7:27 pm Add to Favorites QuvuLy Reps: 78 Lack of Knowledge by Co-Teacher I have had the unfortunate experience where I had a co-teacher that did not understand and did not attempt to understand the content that I was teaching. I would have to teach this class like I would teach a class without a co-teacher because the co-teacher did not attempt to learn anything. All the co-teacher would do is pull out students when it was time to test. I did not want to cause a problem with this co-teacher by going to an administrator, but something must be done. What can I do?                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.                 Solution 1 Posted October 18, 2015 9:08 pm yParuR Reps: 77 Before approaching administration you need to have a conversation with your co-teacher. You both simply sit down and speak your expectations of the other individual. This will give you the opportunity to speak your mind without your co-worker feeling slighted. If this still does not work a simple pd or meeting on the expectations of co-teaching in the school. Someone can model what it can look like and the expectations of both parties. After this attempt, if your co-worker is still not working to full capacity it is time to speak to administration. Votes: +19 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Erica Turnbull Reps: 78 It might help to watch another set of co-teachers work to see how they make their classroom flow together.   Posted on: October 19, 2015 12:06 am eHebah Reps: 210 Yes, asking for advice from experienced teachers is helpful as well.   Posted on: July 6, 2016 9:01 pm PeQyGa Reps: 201 This is what I would do if I were in this situation. Allowing the co-teacher a chance to learn and do what is right will be best.   Posted on: October 12, 2016 2:24 pm rybuZy Reps: 200 Exactly. just be honest with them.   Posted on: October 16, 2017 2:57 am Add a Comment                 Solution 2 Posted October 18, 2015 10:05 pm PaDemu Reps: 75 Co-teaching is a great model when followed through appropriately. There are a number of solutions that can help with this problem; many of which are assessed through Teacher Keys Evaluation System where all teachers are evaluated, even co-teachers. First, I would suggest you as the classroom teacher being specific in your goals for your classroom as you get to know your teacher. Since you are the content specialist, it is your job to help your co-teacher understand your expectations. Secondly, I would suggest you outlining what you will do in your lesson plans as well as what your co-teacher will do. This will only be possible through effective planning, which makes all the difference in instruction. Planning will also help your co-teacher understand the content you are teaching. Third, as you outline the duties in the lesson plan, help make it possible for the students to positively engage with what your co-teacher will do with the students. The more positive the interaction, the more likely your co-teacher will be to more thoroughly engage in the content. I hope this helps! Votes: +7 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution WuzyJa Reps: 203 Wow. Great information!   Posted on: March 5, 2016 10:00 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 3 Posted February 28, 2016 5:59 pm Charity Knowles Reps: 200 I would talk to the co-teacher first. Part of being a professional is having the ability to be an adult and talk about something when it is not working and trying ti fix it. I would approach the co-teacher with your concerns and hear their input then ask what you can do in order to fix the problem. Maybe something is going on behind the scenes you're not aware of that the teacher didn't feel comfortable with talking about? But you talking to them professionally and taking a personal interest may help. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 4 Posted October 18, 2015 11:07 pm Shelby Milton Reps: 82 I have a very similar problem. My co-teacher not only doesn't try to understand the content, but will attempt to teach and will teach the math incorrectly. When this happens, I sit down with my co-teacher and explain the issue. I am a fairly new teacher and my co-teacher has been teaching a lot longer than I have, which can be intimidating! But the co-teacher will respect you more if you talk with them first. I also had a talk with the person over all of SPED, to inform them what was happening. They told me that if this continued that they would talk with someone higher up. It is a disservice to the students when a teacher does not understand the content. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 5 Posted October 19, 2015 12:05 am Erica Turnbull Reps: 78 I spent last school year and some of this school year as a co-teacher. The co-teacher may feel uncomfortable to teach the content. Doing so, they might want the general education teacher to do the teaching so the students get the correct information. However, the first step is to talk with the co-teacher and offer to explain the content. I had to meet with a teacher last year to explain how I was teaching a certain standard to make sure I was doing it correctly. Step two would be to discuss the possibility of parallel teaching. If you are unsure of parallel teaching it is very beneficial for special education students. Parallel teaching is where the class is slit in half. Both the general education teacher and the special education teacher will teach the exact same standard, but it is technically in small group. If that does not work try a different option. Always remember that co-teaching is like a marriage, it takes effort to keep the relationship afloat, but in order for it to be successful those involved must work together. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 6 Posted February 24, 2016 9:30 pm anuhag Reps: 201 I think that the only thing that can be done in this situation is bring it up to the co-teacher first. If the co-teacher does not change and adapt to the way that you need them to in your classroom then you go to administration. It seems as though this is something that has been going on for a while and that the co-teacher has had enough opportunity to change the way they are within the classroom. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution rybuZy Reps: 200 Right. Speak to them privately before anything else.   Posted on: October 16, 2017 2:57 am Add a Comment                 Solution 7 Posted February 26, 2016 10:07 pm taMaSe Reps: 201 I suggest personally talking to the co-teacher and figuring out a solution. Ask if they are having trouble with anything and if they have any questions. Try providing the co-teacher with some friendly tips on how to know more of the content, such as watching educational videos or researching the subject. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 8 Posted February 29, 2016 2:45 am XaSaPe Reps: 200 Have you tried talking to the teacher about the issue. I would start there before going to administration. If it continues than that may be your next step. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 9 Posted March 5, 2016 9:59 pm WuzyJa Reps: 203 You need to say something to this teacher or to an administrator. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 10 Posted October 9, 2016 1:31 pm uzyXuV Reps: 208 Try talking with the co-teacher maybe she was not comfortable teaching your concept. Explain your lesson plans and the part of the lesson you want her to do. She may want to teach her part in a different manner and not want to distract from how you are teaching. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 11 Posted October 9, 2016 3:58 pm eTytun Reps: 101 I would talk with the co-teacher about your concerns and try to work your issues out together. Co-teaching can be awesome if done right. Try having the other teache work in small groups. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 12 Posted February 23, 2018 5:16 pm abuMaH Reps: 101 I would talk to the teacher and let them know that you need them to help out more. Ask them if they are uncomfortable with the content. You could even include them in lesson planning so they are more actively involved. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 13 Posted October 7, 2018 1:50 pm emaHeR Reps: 200 I would try talking to your co-teacher about the problem and if nothing changes, you have to go to administration. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 14 Posted February 22, 2016 3:07 pm zyWute Reps: 201 Talk to the co-teacher first asking if she is knowledgeable in this subject area. Ask her if she can do more teaching of the lessons, since I was teaching most of the initially. Try to work it out with her first before going to the administration. Votes: +0 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution WuzyJa Reps: 203 This is a great idea.   Posted on: March 5, 2016 10:00 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 15 Posted October 4, 2016 4:31 pm upyRyX Reps: 185 Would it be possible to talk with another teacher who previously co taught with this co-teacher? It may help to talk to that teacher and see if they have any tips on working with this co-teacher. Votes: +0 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.