Fall '08 October Blog #2: Tips for Dealing With An Inclusion Teacher in the Classroom

Having an extra person in my classroom was awkward at 1st but I have come to appreciate her in my classroom. We actually work together to help the students. Also, on test days we have set up a system to help out my students with special needs. Those student who need items read to them are sent to the library where Ms. Jones is waiting for them. This way the other students aren't disrupted by her reading to students who need it. It also works out because they aren't receiving unwanted attention.

I believe the reason why I am so patient with inclusion teachers is because I worked as one two years ago. I understand the awarkwardness (if it is a word) on being in someone else’s room and having to follow their rules. With this in mind, I draw upon the experiences that helped me be a better inclusion teacher and the experiences that helped me feel more at ease in the classroom. For reasons that I just mentioned, I give my inclusion teachers a “space” in my classroom for their things. I know how important it is to know the assignments the students will be working on so you can help them better.

I have two different inclusion teachers in my room. I give my inclusion teachers a copy of my lesson plans, and I try my best to incorporate her as my co-teacher. I give her answer keys and extra copies of quizzes and exams. I also set up my room where she has easy access to her students. I also give her tickets to pass out if the students give correct or thoughtful answers. Every time I give instruction I always include her name in the directions. For example: Ms. Jones and I will be coming around to check your papers. Or if you need help just ask me or Ms. Jones. When the classroom is set up in this manner, the students feel at ease with both teachers and don’t look at the primary teacher being the REAL teacher and the co-teacher as the OTHER teacher. Once you and the inclusion set up some type of plan in your classroom then your interactions won't be so awkward and uncomfortable. My suggestion is to talk to your inclusion teacher. Tell her what you will be doing in your classroom. Ask her if she wants to help. Actually treat her as if she is a co-teacher and not just an extra person in your classroom. Listen to her advice on her students. She may know ways to get them to work that you hadn’t even considered. All of the things I have listed above have worked for me and I wish you much success in the future as you try to figure out what “works” in your classroom.

Fall '08 October Blog #1: Controlling Hallway Chaos

Ah, the sound of changing classes-yelling, pushing, screaming, cursing, play fighting with “my cousin”, and shoving. Yes, the hall can get pretty loud and chaotic at times, but you can handle it! My door is next to bridge way between the Vocational building and the High School. With that in mind, I see a lot of traffic. My hall is supposed to be a ninth grade hall; however upperclassmen (mostly 10th graders) love to come and see their friends whom they left at the junior high the previous year.

Anytime you have teenagers all bunched up together in a space, you WILL have noise. The point is to control that noise/chaos whenever you can. I have found that the best way to handle this situation is to be outside your door during class change. I didn’t believe that this would actually make a difference when I first began teaching, but now I see the beauty in it. Most of the time your presence alone will cause a student not to behave too unruly; yet, sometimes, your presence is not enough. I never thought that I would be that teacher. You know the lame one who stands outside and squawks, “Go to class,” repeatedly. However, I have evolved into her. (I would like to put in a side note and say thank you Mrs. Hosey, my 1st great mentor teacher, who I took this technique from. Mrs. Hosey and I disagreed on a lot of things, but I learned a lot from her. The hallway monitoring what just something I observed on the side. The kids grumbled when she did it, but they did move along to class.

The way I get students to clear out the hallway is to stand outside my door and squawk "Go to class! Go to class!" If the students are in conversation, I usually point out mine and tell them to get to class. The ones I don't know-I stand in the middle of their conversation until they realize that they don't want to talk around me, and then they move. Believe it not the things that I do work! When I come out of my room some kids sigh and begin moving along. I believe once you set yourself up to be that person who tells them to move- they will either move as soon as they see you coming towards them or they will find somewhere else to carry on their conversations! Also, having other teachers get on board with standing outside their door will decrease the chaos in the hallway.

On a side note.
The standing in the hallway does NOT work during the lunch period. The majority of the hall has 1st lunch and only 2 classes on the hall, mine included, have last lunch. When the 1st lunch students come back from lunch, it is complete chaos. The biggest problem that I am observing is that their teachers are either not there with them or are not watching them. My students get upset, because the noise disrupts our learning environment. I can’t stand outside and direct traffic then, because I have a class that I cannot leave. This is an increasing problem for me. I spoke to the principal earlier about the lunch arrangement. My plan is to re-discuss this with him later this week. Wish me luck.