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nicrae
He's here!
Member since 12/06 9289 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Big Problem (long)
This year one of my 11th grade classes is an inclusion class. I have never done this before and was not sure what to expect.
What I didn't think would happen is the Special Ed teacher to stand me up for a planning meeting, walk in late both days, not introduce herself to the students, let me completely teach the class without any input, and then as she is leaving today laugh and say "I don't even know which ones are my students..."
I was under the impression that team teaching was just that, TEAM TEACHING? I didn't think of the kids as my kids and her kids. Is this wrong?
Also to add to it she is new to the buiding. She was the Regional Director of Spec Ed and when the city got rid of regions she lost her job and ended up here. I don't want to step on toes considering I've been teaching for 6 years and she has been here for 20+. Should I talk to my AP? Should I sit downand talk to her again about what our expectations should be? All she does is B*itch about how horrible the school is.
To add to it they expect her to take over that class when I go out on maternity leave. When I shared this with her she laughted in my face and said she wasn't certified in English!!!
HELP!!!
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Posted 9/5/07 7:27 PM  |
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MissJones
I need a nap!
Member since 5/05 22136 total posts
Name:
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Oh boy...I have no advice because I'd be too nervous about time in the building. Is she new to your building? If so, then I would def. say something.
Ahh, duh, reread it. She is new. Say something.
Message edited 9/5/2007 7:32:11 PM.
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| Posted 9/5/07 7:31 PM |
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jenn28
LIF Infant
Member since 3/07 178 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Big Problem (long)
I think you need to speak with her first and if nothing changes, then speak to your department chair.
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| Posted 9/5/07 7:51 PM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Yes, Inclusion should be TEAM teaching. So here is what I suggest, first I would speak with her about your expectations and what you would like to do together. If she is not receptive, then I would speak to an AP.
To me it sounds like she is bitter that her old position was cut and not is going to complain about everything.
Good luck! Keep us posted.
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| Posted 9/5/07 8:10 PM |
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mrsmeyer06
LIF Infant
Member since 8/06 194 total posts
Name:
Anne
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Re: Big Problem (long)
high school is very different then elementary and even middle school. It usualy depends on the classroom teacher how much teaching is done by the special education teacher. I am a special ed. teacher in an inclusion setting. My friend is in the high shcool as the spec. ed in inclusion. She has the opposite problem as you and she continues to have these difficulities and this is her 7th year. My advice is to talk with her first make every attempt to get together with her. As an absolute last resort then go to your AP..Sorry you are going through this
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| Posted 9/5/07 9:24 PM |
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SummerMom
Now a mom of 2!
Member since 6/07 4970 total posts
Name:
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Is this a City school? The reason I ask is that I've taught inclusion English classes before, and they put a special ed. teacher or para in there (or two or three), and I've never had any input from them on my lessons. They always just kind of sat in the back of the room and then circulate when the kids are writing and ask who needs help. They are not English teachers and don't have a background in English so while they're most certainly capable of writing English lesson plans, they weren't trained to do so and would probably feel awkward about it. They're there to give extra help to the kids who need it, not to take over for the English teacher (whether she's in the room or out sick or on leave). At least that was my understanding, and all of them had been at the school a lot longer than I had.
I don't know if this applies to your situation, but it's how it worked at my City high school.
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| Posted 9/5/07 9:50 PM |
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jgl
Love my little boys!!!
Member since 8/07 7060 total posts
Name:
g
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Posted by DavaDay
Is this a City school? The reason I ask is that I've taught inclusion English classes before, and they put a special ed. teacher or para in there (or two or three), and I've never had any input from them on my lessons. They always just kind of sat in the back of the room and then circulate when the kids are writing and ask who needs help. They are not English teachers and don't have a background in English so while they're most certainly capable of writing English lesson plans, they weren't trained to do so and would probably feel awkward about it. They're there to give extra help to the kids who need it, not to take over for the English teacher (whether she's in the room or out sick or on leave). At least that was my understanding, and all of them had been at the school a lot longer than I had.
I don't know if this applies to your situation, but it's how it worked at my City high school.
thats how it worked in all the schools i was in on Long Island.
I was a teaching assistant in inclusion rooms. i worked in elem schools and a middle school and thats how we did it. sometimes we would pull the kids out of the class to do more 1-1 or small group instruction/review.
I think the best thing is for you to speak with this teacher and see what her understanding of her position and role is. I would also ask your AP what your roles are since this is a new situation for you.
GL
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| Posted 9/5/07 10:38 PM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Wow the city is so different than Long Island. I would not be happy as a HS special ed teacher in the city. I have been teaching inclusion for 7 years in a variety of levels and subjects. I currently teach English and have for the past 5 years. The way we run it is that we have common prep periods and we plan the lessons together. We teach together and we share the grading. We are a team. I absolutely love it. I would hate sitting in the back of the room doing nothing. Not to mention I have a couple degrees and should not be letting my knowledge go to waste.
Actually, the English teacher I teach with is going out on maternity leave in Jan and we have already discussed that whiel there will be a leave replacement I will basically teach our two inclusion classes.
I am sorry you are having a tough time. I would definitely speak to her and then an administrator if she isn't receptive.
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| Posted 9/6/07 5:49 AM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Posted by MrsPowers
Yes, Inclusion should be TEAM teaching. So here is what I suggest, first I would speak with her about your expectations and what you would like to do together. If she is not receptive, then I would speak to an AP.
To me it sounds like she is bitter that her old position was cut and not is going to complain about everything.
Good luck! Keep us posted.
I agree
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| Posted 9/6/07 12:14 PM |
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nicrae
He's here!
Member since 12/06 9289 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Posted by MrsPowers
Wow the city is so different than Long Island. I would not be happy as a HS special ed teacher in the city. I have been teaching inclusion for 7 years in a variety of levels and subjects. I currently teach English and have for the past 5 years. The way we run it is that we have common prep periods and we plan the lessons together. We teach together and we share the grading. We are a team. I absolutely love it. I would hate sitting in the back of the room doing nothing. Not to mention I have a couple degrees and should not be letting my knowledge go to waste.
Actually, the English teacher I teach with is going out on maternity leave in Jan and we have already discussed that whiel there will be a leave replacement I will basically teach our two inclusion classes.
I am sorry you are having a tough time. I would definitely speak to her and then an administrator if she isn't receptive.
This is what I though inclusion should be! I do teach in a city school. I think tomorrow I will sit down with her again and see how to do this. I am annoyed though because she was the Regional Director of Spec ed. Wouldn't she be the one to know how to do this???? 
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| Posted 9/6/07 6:23 PM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: Big Problem (long)
One would think!
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| Posted 9/6/07 6:50 PM |
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Buttafli1277
LIF Adult
Member since 8/05 2638 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Sorry to hear your having problems. To teach inclusion classes, you really need to find someone you work well with. First she's probably pissy cuz she lost her position at the region (she should be happy she still has a job.) I would definately tell her that she needs to meet with you to do some planning. If she is not compliant, I would tell your AP that your inclusion class is not working they way you expected. Good luck!
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| Posted 9/7/07 11:08 PM |
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kellsbells7
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/07 590 total posts
Name:
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Well, first off - her students are technically her students and vice versa. She is ultimately responsible for them - and their attendance and grades - right?
Tell her you are concerned for them but are not responsible for their grades. Give a test or quiz and I am sure that she will have to read to them - and if she doesn't do that, then definitely report her for failing to follow their IEPs. At least that would be a black and white issue, not just a complaint that she is not helping teach.
I am sorry for you though, that is a tough situation! Good Luck!
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| Posted 9/8/07 9:01 PM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Posted by kellsbells7
Well, first off - her students are technically her students and vice versa. She is ultimately responsible for them - and their attendance and grades - right?
Tell her you are concerned for them but are not responsible for their grades. Give a test or quiz and I am sure that she will have to read to them - and if she doesn't do that, then definitely report her for failing to follow their IEPs. At least that would be a black and white issue, not just a complaint that she is not helping teach.
in my district both teachers are responsible for all the students. although the sp ed teacher is responsible for the IEPs, the gen ed teacher is still responsible for their grades along with the sp ed teacher. the entire class is the responsibility of both of us
to the OP...you really need to talk to her as soon as you can. i hope you can resolve this!
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| Posted 9/8/07 9:05 PM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Posted by browneyedgirl
Posted by kellsbells7
Well, first off - her students are technically her students and vice versa. She is ultimately responsible for them - and their attendance and grades - right?
Tell her you are concerned for them but are not responsible for their grades. Give a test or quiz and I am sure that she will have to read to them - and if she doesn't do that, then definitely report her for failing to follow their IEPs. At least that would be a black and white issue, not just a complaint that she is not helping teach.
in my district both teachers are responsible for all the students. although the sp ed teacher is responsible for the IEPs, the gen ed teacher is still responsible for their grades along with the sp ed teacher. the entire class is the responsibility of both of us
Same here! For myself and in my district this is how we view the inclusion setting. We truly are a team!
Message edited 9/8/2007 9:39:44 PM.
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| Posted 9/8/07 9:39 PM |
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nicrae
He's here!
Member since 12/06 9289 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Big Problem (long)
Posted by browneyedgirl
Posted by kellsbells7
Well, first off - her students are technically her students and vice versa. She is ultimately responsible for them - and their attendance and grades - right?
Tell her you are concerned for them but are not responsible for their grades. Give a test or quiz and I am sure that she will have to read to them - and if she doesn't do that, then definitely report her for failing to follow their IEPs. At least that would be a black and white issue, not just a complaint that she is not helping teach.
in my district both teachers are responsible for all the students. although the sp ed teacher is responsible for the IEPs, the gen ed teacher is still responsible for their grades along with the sp ed teacher. the entire class is the responsibility of both of us
to the OP...you really need to talk to her as soon as you can. i hope you can resolve this!
So she came up to me on Friday and said that she is still "adjusting" to her new job. She said she doesn't want me to think that she is just sitting there.
She is still late for class everyday because she has to go to the bathroom. UMMM I am pregnant and can go three is a row so why can't she do two?
She ultimately is responsible to their attendance and grades. Friday was the first day she actually called out names. I had been doing review work with the class to see what they know and it is obvious that they are going to need the extra support that she is supposed to give!
My AP and her AP are planning to come in and observe how the class is going so far. What they will see is me teaching and her just sitting there!!!
Should I warn her that they are coming????
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| Posted 9/9/07 11:01 AM |
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