Co-Teaching Do’s, Don’ts, and Do Betters, July/2020

Co-teaching has been increasingly adopted to support students in the general education classroom. After 20 years of field testing, we know what works—and what doesn’t. In this practical guide, co-teaching and inclusion experts Toby J. Karten and Wendy W. Murawski detail the best practices for successful co-teaching and ways to troubleshoot common pitfalls. This book addresses the do’s, don’ts, and do betters of

1. The co-teaching relationship and collaborative roles.
2. Co-planning instruction and assessment.
3. Co-teaching in action.
4. Academic and behavioral supports and interventions.
5. Collaborative reflections, improvements, and celebrations.

Readers will gain valuable insights on what to start doing, what to stop doing, and how to improve their co-teaching practices to better reach all students.

About the Authors:

Toby J. Karten—a staff developer, instructional coach, educational consultant, author, adjunct professor, and inclusion specialist—has taught populations of learners at levels ranging from preschool to graduate school. She has an undergraduate degree in special education from Brooklyn College, a master's degree in special education from the College of Staten Island, a supervisory degree from Georgian Court University, and an honorary doctorate from Gratz College. Karten has been recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children and the New Jersey Department of Education as an exemplary educator, receiving two Teacher of the Year awards. Karten works with school districts throughout the United States and internationally as a staff developer, inclusion coach, and educational consultant. More information about her inclusion strategies is offered at her website, www.inclusionworkshops.com.

Wendy W. Murawski, PhD, is the executive director and Eisner Endowed Chair for the Center for Teaching and Learning at California State University, Northridge. A former special education and high school German teacher, Murawski is passionate about inclusive education. Her research on co-teaching is widely published and has garnered both research and publication awards. She is the author or coauthor of 13 books on education, as well as co-teaching software. Her bachelor's, master's, and EdS degrees are from the College of William and Mary, and her PhD is from the University of California, Riverside. Murawski is the past president of the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children and the CEO and president of 2 TEACH LLC, an educational consulting company. She is a frequently requested keynote speaker and has presented in North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa on topics related to inclusive education.