Collaboration in the Classroom

1. Collaboration in the Classroom Justine ShehaM.S. SLP-CFY, TSSLD Michelle VladimirovM.A. SLP-CCC, TSSLD

2. "Teams outperform individuals acting alone or in larger organizational groupings especially when performance requires multiple skills, judgments and experiences. When performance is defined as the success of a child with complex and challenging needs, this statement most certainly applies." ~Katzenbach & Smith, The Wisdom of Teams, 1993.

3. What is collaboration? • Team members working together to meet each students' individual goals. • Bringing together complementary skills and experiences. • Understanding and respecting the contribution of each member. • Working hard to overcome barriers that stand in the way of collective performance. • Having the success of the child become its own reward.

4. What collaboration is not • Related service providers acting like cluster teachers. • Related service providers acting like paraprofessionals to facilitate a lesson. • Related service providers pulling students to a corner of the room.

5. Collaboration with the Speech Teacher • The classroom teacher and speech teacher can: • Assess the students' speech and language skills across domains. • Develop appropriate facilitation techniques. • Team teach lessons. • Consult on progress of students. • Plan field trips together. • Generalize communication skills across domains.

6. Role of the Speech Teacher • Provides student with appropriate speech and language skills necessary for participation in classroom and other environments. • Provides direct therapeutic intervention in a combination of pull-out, classroom and community settings.

7. Role of the Classroom Teacher • Teaches a specific curriculum leading toward functional independence. • Provides information about the students' use of language and communication in various domains. • Facilitates generalization of language and communication skills across domains.

8. Six approaches of Collaboration/Co-Teaching • One teach, One Observe • One Teach, One assist • Parallel Teaching • Station Teaching • Alternative Teaching • TeamTeaching

9. Benefits of Collaboration for Professionals • Increased repertoire of strategies • Improved relationships with students • Increased awareness of students in multiple settings • Increased communication skills • Increased flexibility

10. Benefits for Students • Increased staff to student ratio • Motivation for increased performance • Implementation of skills in multiple environments • Increased accuracy of self-awareness • Carry over of goals. • Modeling of communication and shared commitment of professionals.

11. Pull out vs. Push in

12. Let‘s Brainstorm

13. References: • SERC, (2009). Teaching & Learning Initiative Six approaches to Co-Teaching. Retrieved from http://www.cctserce.org/initiatives/teachandlearn/coteach.shtm/lon 11/10/09.