A one-day workshop facilitated by the University of Houston-Victoria School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development will give educators tips and tactics for teaching in tandem.
Co-Teaching: Getting it Right will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 28 in the UHV University Center Multi-Purpose Room, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St. Attendees can receive six Continuing Professional Education hours. The workshop cost is $25. UHV students can attend for a discounted rate of $10.
Co-teaching is an instructional model that uses two teachers – one general education teacher and one special education teacher.
“While co-teachers work in the same classroom to support students who have individual education plans or special education services, co-teaching also benefits all students,” said Mary Lasater, a UHV assistant professor of education. “The strategies co-teachers use are especially good for English language learners, gifted students and those struggling with their coursework.”
Lasater said the workshop will be helpful to current co-teachers, new teachers and students studying to become teachers. Administrators unfamiliar with co-teaching also are encouraged to attend.
“Some school districts are introducing co-teaching while others are building on existing programs,” Lasater said.
The interactive workshop will include plenty of hands-on activities. Educators with previous co-teaching experience are welcome to share their experiences as well.
The workshop topics that will be covered include:
- Components necessary for developing and advancing co-teaching practices.
- Processes for building positive co-teaching partnerships and pitfalls to avoid.
- Strategies to increase learning for students with disabilities.
- Ways to maximize student participation in co-taught lessons.
- Strategies and activities that can be used immediately in co-taught classrooms.
Joining Lasater in leading the workshop are Rachel Martinez, a UHV associate professor of special education, and E2 Group President Tracy Knickerbocker. The Houston-based E2 Group is an educational consulting team that specializes in providing practical, innovative and research-based interventions to educators working in pre-K through 12 classrooms.
“Tracy has years of training experience across the U.S.,” Lasater said. “She has worked with school districts to implement co-teaching on a districtwide basis.”
Space is limited for the workshop. To register, visit www.uhvconnect.org/event/co-teach. For additional information, email Lasater at lasaterm@uhv.edu.