Spotlight Series 01 featuring Natalie Conway

As part of our very first Educator Spotlight Series, we are featuring educator Natalie Conway, who will share her experiences and best practices for inclusive education and co-teaching. You can learn more about Natalie (@AOENatalie) through her website: syseducation.org/aoe

1. How long have you been working in the inclusion, co-teaching setting?

Since 2005, this is my 16th year!

2. What is the most rewarding part about working with a co-teacher or in the inclusion setting?

Sharing ideas for instruction and making them better because two brilliant minds worked on them and improving my own teaching practice by collaborating with another talented teacher. I enjoy building on my strengths while also building up my weak areas by learning from a peer. You don't have to be an extrovert to be a good co-teacher. You have alone time to think, plan and process still, and that's important. But you also have collaborative time and that helps you grow and helps you serve students better as well.

3. What are some potential obstacles co-teachers face? How can teachers overcome these obstacles?

Communication breakdown is probably the biggest obstacle. Be honest and upfront about your expectations and questions or apprehensions. Make sure you both know your roles and responsibilities and work to keep students' success at the center of challenging conversations where you might not see eye to eye. Assume positive intent, but also call out instances of dominant or white culture centering and racism.

4. What strategies have you found most successful when working with a co-teacher?

Set aside a regular time to co-plan and come prepared. Each party should know the pre-work they're expected to do before the meeting, and they should do it. Using backward design helps fuel ideas for instruction and assessment because you know the end goal. Be open to trying new things and be open to hearing ideas. Sometimes we have a lesson or unit we've done for years and we love. Make space for your co-teacher to bring new life into that space too. Knowing your strengths and what works for your class is important. Will station teaching work best or teaming or simply splitting the class in half? Have the strategies for co-teaching handy and mix it up based on needs.

5. What strategies have you found most successful when working with students in an inclusion setting?

Treating both teachers as equals is #1. There is no co-teacher who is "less than." Students learn to respect both adults and expect both to teach. That's important for class culture. I've found inclusion and co-teaching most successful for kids when they get to work with both teachers and no one group is "always with teacher."

6. What is one thing that you think teachers or schools can do to make sure classrooms are more inclusive?

Resist the assumption that because a kid has an IEP they can't do something others can. Treat all kids with a growth mindset and expect greatness from each one of them. A 'nuts and bolts' answer is make time for co-planning, allow teachers to have a say in their co-teachers, provide professional development on effective communication and collaborative problem solving. Give teachers time and training to make co-teaching effective.

7. What piece of advice would you give to either new teachers entering the field or teachers working in inclusion classrooms for the first time?

Go for it! Show your co-teacher that you're going to help make class better, that you have ideas to add and strengths that'll serve students. Don't hold back. Be clear in your communication and when you see a need, fill it!

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The Educator Spotlight Series features educators in the field and their experiences with inclusion and co-teaching. If you are interested in being featured in the weekly series, please fill out the interest form or reach out via DM to @AssemblingIncl1