Robert Antoniewicz

Artifact #7

SPED 854 - Reflection - Co-Teaching Concepts: The Broken Arm Case Study

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment was to analyze a case study on co-teaching concepts and

to prepare the reader/student to be able to handle certain problems that can arise in a co-teaching

classroom. The assignment was geared towards raising awareness on the potential struggles that

can come to fruition when two teachers are working in the same classroom together. By

completing this assignment, I was supposed to have a better understanding of how to effectively

make accommodations for students that need them. The assignment wanted me to look at this

case study and see when it would be appropriate to make instructional modifications. It also was

designed so that I would be able to figure out how to come up with an effective solution to the

problem the two teachers were having with each other.

Addressing the assignment requirements

For this assignment, I was required to analyze a case study about a co-teaching modeled

classroom. For the first part of the assignment, I needed to describe what I learned about the

characters in the case study, and explain what I thought was driving their behaviors throughout.

Next, I was required to discuss some of the challenges and issues in the case, along with other

common problems that can arise in co-teaching classrooms. The assignment required me to then

look at, and explain the steps that are necessary to establish successful co-teaching relationships.

One of the major issues in the study revolved around instructional accommodations for students.

So one of the requirements for this section was for me to determine or elaborate on when it is

appropriate to make instructional accommodations and modifications. Going off of that, I also

needed to explain the different techniques that could/should be used when modifying

instructional methods. The assignment also required me to analyze the accommodations and
Robert Antoniewicz

Artifact #7

SPED 854 - Reflection - Co-Teaching Concepts: The Broken Arm Case Study

modifications that one of the characters made, and explain whether they were effective or not.

Lastly, for this assignment, I was obligated to talk about why it is important to have

communication and collaboration that promote interaction with students, parents, and

school/community personnel.

Revisions

For this assignment, I received full credit and did not need to make any revisions to my

project. The teacher commented on what an excellent job did, and explained that she was

impressed by the detail in the assignment. Nevertheless, I reviewed my work and determined that

no revisions needed to be made, apart from a few spelling mistakes.

Things learned and how it contributes to development as a special educator

I believe I learned a great deal from this assignment. This lesson provided a scenario that

is a relatively common theme in co-teaching classrooms. Unfortunately, there are times when

two teachers that are working together in the same classroom aren’t going to see eye to eye. And,

there can certainly be a power struggle between the two teachers if one has been working at the

school, or in that classroom longer, just as was explained in the case study. Learning about this,

and becoming aware of the certain dynamics in a co-teaching classroom definitely contributed to

my development as a special educator. Now that I work in a co-teaching classroom, this

assignment has stuck in the back of my mind and made me cognizant of what it takes to run an

effective classroom with the co-teaching model. After this assignment, I have better perspective

on how to interact with collaborating teachers, as well as, gaining a better understanding of how

to handle situations that may arise fellow teachers in the classroom.