CO-TEACHING

To help alleviate some misconceptions and apprehensions, following is a brief description/comparison of the concept of 2 interns working with one classroom teacher simultaneously.

Co-teaching IS:

Ø    On-going collaboration between co-teachers (classroom teachers, interns, university supervisors and faculty) on a regular/daily basis.

Ø    Multiple teachers in a classroom to facilitate instruction.

Ø    A team-teaching approach that allows flexibility in meeting the needs of all learners.

Ø    A format that provides opportunities for individual intern instruction delivery and planning for small and large groups, and short and long-term lessons that may incorporate a variety of teaching strategies.

Ø    An innovative strategy that utilizes the strongest mentors for maximum benefit to interns and students.

Ø    A gradual induction for interns to learn to teach from each other and experts.

Ø    A model of collegiality and professional development for new and experienced teachers that is in line with both INTASC and National Board Professional Teaching Standards.

Ø    A revolving door of co-teachers in classrooms.  The same configuration of teachers does not have to be in the classroom everyday.

Co-teaching:

Ø    IS NOT 2 interns learning to teach exclusively from each other full time.

Ø    IS NOT a reduction of participation and activity on the part of interns or mentors.

Ø    DOES NOT prevent an intern from “solo-ing”.

Following is a brief comparison to the current model of internship being used in an existing PDS in Knox County and the traditional model of internship used by the university.

Co-teaching	PDS model	Traditional model
2 interns in room at once	1 intern in room at a time	1 intern in room at a time
Side-by-side teaching with co-teachers	Side-by-side teaching with mentor	“Solo” for much of time
Intern may work with more than one classroom teacher per semester	Intern may work with more than one mentor per semester	Intern may work with more than one mentor per semester
Intern plans under guidance of classroom teacher and/or another intern	Intern plans under guidance of mentor	Intern plans under guidance of mentor
Intern develops and delivers original lesson plans alone or with co-teachers	Intern develops and delivers original lesson plans alone or with mentor	Intern develops and delivers original lesson plans
Individual evaluation occurs informally and formally	Individual evaluation occurs informally and formally	Individual evaluation occurs informally and formally