Jessica: A Team Effort

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard, read, or said it: the “I” in IEP stands for individualized. Indeed, the goal of special education is to come together as a team to create an appropriate learning environment that meets the individualized needs of our exceptional students. In a larger sense, the aim of all education is to recognize every student’s needs and differentiate within the classroom to see to it that all their individual needs are met.

Hmmm. Everybody say it with me, “Easier said than done.”

Let me explain my work environment:

My district serves a small student population. It is so small that we do not receive funding to hire a teacher for every grade level. Rather, we have three multi-grade classrooms to serve grades K–8 and the general education teachers must figure out a way to teach the state standards to three or four different grade levels at the same time. Don’t forget your classroom dynamic being affected by the maturity disparity you might imagine between, say, your most immature third grader and most mature fifth grader, being taught in the same classroom. Multi-grade classrooms, in and of themselves, necessitate differentiation within the classroom for academic, social, emotional, and behavioral reasons, based on standards-based and age-based needs. Add to this differentiation the typical learning discrepancies between language learners, students with special needs, and students of varying levels of performance, and you will wind up with a classroom of students differing in age from 1–4 years who need 20 different forms of differentiation. Do you recall me mentioning that we’re rural? This means that we have a limited amount of community resource and our students come to us with a limited amount of life experience.

Is this tough? Yes. Impossible? It feels that way sometimes. But every day, my colleagues and I go in and work together as a team and somehow get it done. Some of us show up early every day, some of us stay late every day, and all of us take work home and come in on our days off. Also, once a week, someone brings in homemade snacks at lunchtime. J

This is all to say that I do not know what I would do without my team, nor do I know what they would do without me. We are a team, and only together can we help our students. It is ironic to me how often I meet other educators and learn about inner turmoil at work between general education and special education, or even between colleagues in the same department. Sure, my workplace has its share of minor complaints and times when someone says something that someone takes the wrong way and whatnot, but overall, we help each other out as needed, share ideas and advice, and above all, we have each others’ backs – and offer mutual respect. Without this, we’d be lost.

While the “I” in IEP may represent the needs of the individual, it is only through the work of a unified team that an individual’s needs will be met – yet there is no “I” in TEAM. Oh, the irony.

Comments

[Tim Larrabee]

Great insight! I am finishing my education program and preparing to enter the classroom as an Gen Ed elementary teacher. I added the coursework for the SPED endorsement because I wanted to have the knowledge to better serve students who have special needs within my classroom. Throughout my studies I have come to realize that each student has his/her own special needs and that in an ideal world I would be able to generate and Individualized Education Plan for each and every student in my classroom. There is much to be said for taking a closer look with a TEAM of professionals to identify a student's strengths and challenges and tailor your teaching to emphasize those strengths and provide support to overcome the challenges. I look forward to being part of a TEAM everyday working toward successful learning outcomes for all our students.

[Carley H.]

I am in student teaching right now for both special education and general education and I've definitely seen the separation between the two. However, when both sides can come together to support students it always makes such a difference! The dynamic between teachers and teachers working together seems to be one of the most important factors at a school. What tips do you have for a new teacher to try and be a part of a team that might not always seem eye to eye?
Thanks!

[Sarah]

This is an excellent article on how teachers come together to make the learning environment the best it can be for the students. Team work doesn't come easy for everyone or every district, it is nice to know that even with limited resources that you use your best resource (each other) to the fullest extent. I'm certain your students will look back and be quite thankful for their education from you and the rest of the staff.

[Jessica]

Kristy, I wish I could say I have the solution, but every day is a new day with us. The motto over here is try, and try again. For sure, though, the first thing to do is sit down with the standards for all three grade levels, and highlight the overlaps. This is much easier to do with the common core standards, because they stair step the standards so you can see how they connect from one grade to the next. Our teachers also limit the subject content for writing, science, and social studies so they can teach everyone at the same time (you will need district approval for that). Also, peer partnering an cooperative learning centers go a long way in multi-grade classrooms.

[Jessica]

Bailey, the short response is "have an open mind." Whatever your disagreement is with a colleague, don't try to turn it into a competition where one of you must win, and if your colleague is the one trying to do that, then try to not let it get under your skin. I have a lot more thoughts on your question, though, which wound up turning into my next post. Keep an eye out for it :)

[Kristy D]

It is so good to hear that I am not the only one who is dealing with this!! I teach in a substantially separate, multi-grade classroom with students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. After 4 years of teaching I still feel at a loss as to how I can teach all of my students what they need to know!! I am envious that you have a team of coworkers to help you! I do not have that!! Any suggestions on how you've developed curriculum in your multi grade classroom?

[Bailey]

I can see how working as a team would be the only way possible to meet the "I" of a student in special education, but what have you done in the past when your team isn't working well together? What are some tips that you have for a future educator on working as a team with both special educators and general educators?

[Jessica]

Thanks, Rodney!

[Rodney]

Very well written, and I know that I cam thankful for my TEAM each and every day for the amazing work they do to meet the "I" of our IEP students! Their creatvitiy and dedication is something that is admirable!