E.Henderson-Special Education (@eh_educonsulting)

Two teachers in the room does not automatically mean co-teaching is happening. There are six co-teaching approaches, but one teach, one assist can easily become the default, especially when there isn’t common planning time. If planning time is limited, you still need a simple system for deciding: • what students are learning • which co-teaching approach makes sense • who is responsible for what You may not be able to create more planning time, but you can create more clarity. What does co-teaching usually look like in your school? #CoTeaching #SpecialEducation #SPEDTeacher #InclusiveEducation #TeacherCollaboration

Sometimes the issue with co-teaching is not the model. It’s ownership. If one person is making all the decisions and is always seen as the “main” teacher, it can be hard for co-teaching to really feel like a partnership. Everything does not have to be 50/50, but both teachers should have a voice, a role in instruction, and responsibility for the students. It has to move from my classroom to our classroom. What helps make that shift happen? #CoTeaching #SpecialEducation #SPEDTeacher #TeacherCollaboration #InclusiveEducation

Everyone is focused on decorating classrooms and buying supplies. But before you do all of that, build a system for managing your IEPs, deadlines, documentation, and weekly responsibilities. The classroom won’t keep you organized. Your systems will. 🤔What’s ONE thing you’re intentionally preparing before school starts? #SpecialEducation #SPEDTeacher #newspecialeducationteacher #SpecialEducationTeacher

A shared doc can hold the plan. But it can’t replace the conversation. What are students learning? Where might they get stuck? What support do they need? What is each teacher actually doing? That’s co-planning. #coteaching #coplanning #coteacher #specialeducation #spedteacher

Co-teaching does NOT have to look 50/50 every minute. Different roles can still mean equal partnership. Equal ≠ identical. Shared ownership is the goal. #coteaching #coteacher #spedteacher #specialeducation #teachertok

Sometimes co-teaching gets messy because everybody is assuming. “I thought you knew.” “I thought you were taking that group.” “I thought you were stepping in there.” A 30-second check-in before class can save a whole lot of confusion later. #coteaching #coteacher #spedteacher #specialeducation #teachertok

Sometimes co-teaching struggles because the partnership was never really built. No clear roles. No planning structure. No conversation about how instruction will be shared. Then one teacher teaches and the other helps. That’s a structure problem. #coteaching #spedteacher #specialeducation #coteacher #teachertok

Co-teaching is worth it. But not if one person teaches and the other person just “helps.” Both teachers need to actually teach. #coteaching #spedteacher #specialeducation #coteacher #teachertok

Co-teachers… before we ask, “What are we doing tomorrow?” Let’s back up. What do students need to learn? Where might they get stuck? What support do they need? And what is each teacher doing? Then pick the activity. Two teachers in the room is not the goal. Teaching together with intention is. #coteaching #coteacher #coplanning #spedteacher #specialeducation

Kagan isn’t just for students. 👀 Try a Timed Pair Share with your co-teacher: What worked? Where did students struggle? What do you need from me next time? Sometimes communication doesn’t need more time. It needs structure. #coteaching #kagan #spedteacher #teacherlife #specialeducation

Co-teaching on the rocks? 😅 Sometimes it’s not the person. Sometimes the partnership needs more structure. Clarity. Communication. Shared Ownership. Which one is missing? #coteaching #spedteacher #specialeducationteacher #teacherlife #inclusionteacher

Co-teaching sounds good, but what happens when there’s little to no time to actually plan together? 😩 Sometimes you don’t need another meeting. You need a simple system for sharing what’s coming up before the lesson. What’s working for your co-teaching team? #SpecialEducation #CoTeaching #SPEDTeachers #specialeducationteachersoftiktok #InclusiveEducation

Nobody asked if you and your co-teacher were compatible. They just said, “You’re teaching together.” Sometimes it’s not a personality problem. It’s a structure problem. What was missing: the vows, the counseling, or the plan? #coteaching #spedteacher #specialeducationteacher #teacherlife #inclusionteacher

2 teachers + little to no planning time + unclear roles = a harder class period. Even 5 intentional minutes can make a difference. The math starts before class. #CoTeaching #SPEDTeacher #SpecialEducation #TeacherTok

Co-teaching doesn’t mean one person has to lead every lesson. Sometimes you lead. Sometimes I lead. Sometimes we both have an instructional role at the same time. The bigger issue is when one person is always seen as the teacher and the other person is always seen as support. Both teachers bring something to the table. How does the roles change in your class? #CoTeaching #SpecialEducation #SPEDTeacher #TeacherCollaboration #inclusiveeducationforchildren

A notebook can help you stay organized, but organization and systems are not the same thing. A system helps you know where important information lives, what needs your attention, and what comes next. For special education teachers, that might mean having a consistent place for IEP dates, parent communication, meeting prep, and weekly follow-up. It does not have to be fancy. It just needs to work consistently. What is one thing you wish you had a better system for? #SPEDTeacher #SpecialEducation #TeacherOrganization #IEP #TeacherSupport

Clear expectations can make a huge difference in how teachers and paraprofessionals work together. “Just help where you can” may sound flexible, but it can leave everyone frustrated. The clearer the role, the stronger the partnership. What’s one thing you think every paraprofessional should know from day one? #SpecialEducation #Paraprofessional #SPEDTeacher #SpecialEducator #TeacherSupport

Parent communication is about more than updates when something goes wrong. The small check-ins, positive messages, and early conversations help build the trust you may need later when the conversation is harder. You don’t have to communicate constantly. Just be intentional. What’s one way you build relationships with families? #newspecialeducationteacher #SPEDTeacher #ParentCommunication #SpecialEducator #IEP

Parent communication can set the tone for the entire relationship. Before you hit send, take a second to think about how your message may be received on the other end. Clear. Specific. Supportive. What would you add to the list? #newspecialeducationteacher #SPEDTeacher #ParentCommunication #SpecialEducator #IEP

Progress monitoring doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Sometimes the biggest difference isn’t working harder—it’s having a simple system. Three habits I encourage special educators to build: ✔️ Collect data consistently. ✔️ Keep one tracking system. ✔️ Review your data each week. Small, consistent habits can make progress reports and IEP meetings much more manageable. Which habit would make the biggest difference for you? #specialeducation #specialeducationteacherlife #spedteacher #progressmonitoring #IEP

Can we talk about progress monitoring for a minute? One of the most common challenges with progress monitoring is waiting until the end of the grading period to collect data. Consistent, meaningful data collection throughout the quarter makes it easier to identify patterns, support instructional decisions, and prepare for progress reports and IEP meetings. #special-education #spedteacher #specialeducationteacher #progressmonitoring #IEP

I asked. You answered. 👏 I recently asked special educators what they review first when they receive a new caseload, and your responses were incredibly insightful. While everyone has their own process, three themes continued to come up: ✔️ IEP & reevaluation dates ✔️ Service minutes & placement ✔️ Accommodations, goals & supports Those responses reminded me that having simple systems in place before students arrive can make the start of the school year much more manageable. 💬 Did your top priority make my list? If you’re looking for tools to help you stay organized, let me know (Sped systems toolkit available). #specialeducation #newspecialeducationteacher #spedteacher #specialed #iepmeeting

The IEP meeting date should not be the only date on your calendar. Plan backward and include teacher input, parent contact, data review, and draft completion. A little planning now can prevent a lot of rushing later. How do you currently track your IEP deadlines? #NewSpecialEducationTeacher #SpecialEducator #SPEDTeacher #SpecialEducation #IEPTeacher

Every season has something to teach us. This summer reminded me to slow down, appreciate the moment, and stop measuring every experience against an expectation. As another school year approaches, I’m choosing to carry that perspective with me. Not every day will be perfect. Not every plan will go exactly as expected. But there’s still joy to be found in the work, the growth, and the people we’re privileged to serve. As I prepare for this next season, I’m choosing progress, perspective, and gratitude. What’s one lesson you’re taking from this summer? #SpecialEducation #EducationLeadership #newspecialeducationteacher #SpecialEducator #EducatorLife

Walking into an IEP meeting shouldn’t feel like you’re hoping you remembered everything. I’ve found that a little preparation goes a long way. Before every meeting, make sure you have: ✔️ Current student data ✔️ Parent communication notes ✔️ Questions that need to be addressed ✔️ Any documents you’ll reference during the meeting The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is walking in prepared so you can focus on the student—not on what you might have forgotten. What’s one thing you always make sure you have before an IEP meeting? P.S. If you’re looking for a simple way to stay organized, my SPED Systems Template Pack includes an IEP Meeting Prep Checklist. Link in bio. #SpecialEducation #newspecialeducationteacher #SpecialEducator #IEPMeeting #IEP

Let’s keep it real: If you don’t understand a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), it’s nearly impossible to implement it effectively. But here’s the thing—most teachers didn’t create the BIP, and no one’s breaking it down in a way that makes sense. So here’s your starting point: 1️⃣ Take time to read the BIP—don’t wait for someone else to walk you through it. 2️⃣ If something isn’t clear, ask questions. Because when behaviors escalate and frustration builds, you are the one who feels it most. Drop a 😊in the comments if this hits home, or DM me if you need support navigating BIPs with clarity and confidence. #specialeducationteacher #specialeducation #iep #newspecialeducationteachers #behaviorinterventionplans

Some days coteaching is a lot. Most days it isn’t easy, but let’s be real- it’s what you make it. Once the two of you find your flow, it changes everything! Ever felt like this? Let me know in the comments! #specialedteacher #coteaching #iep #newspedteacher

Feeling frustrated in your co-teaching partnership because no one’s clear on who’s doing what? You’re not alone, and even this far into the school year, it’s never too late to fix it. If you still haven’t sat down with your co-teacher to clarify roles, now’s the time to stop waiting and start the conversation. We’re not letting frustration and chaos run the show the rest of the year! #specialedteacher #generaledteacher #classroomsuccess #teacherlife

In the classroom it’s like piecing together a puzzle. When working with a paraprofessional, maintain awareness of the classroom environment we create. As a teacher demonstrate professionalism, budd trust, and recognize the challenges. Be ready to engage in various tasks throughout the classroom, setting a standard you’re willing to uphold personally. #specialeducationteacher #teacherlife #seldcontainedteacher #specedteacher #specialeducator #specialneeds #specialeducation #iep #iepteammember #paraprofessional #teacherassistant

As the new school year begins,setting the tone for a successful collaboration with your para is crucial. A strong partnership can enhance the learning environment. #specialeducationteacher #teacherlife #seldcontainedteacher #specedteacher #specialeducator #specialneeds #specialeducation #iep #iepteammember #paraprofessional #teacherassistant