Push-in teaching strategies in a small school PITS Push-in teaching strategies in a small school Jennifer Kay Stone, Amanda Barton, Federal Programs Director Special Education Teacher/Evaluator jkstone@lamonte.k12.mo.us abarton@lamonte.k12.mo.us

Special Education is a Service, not a place. ~jks Everyone has To Be Flexible

What Push-In Teaching Looks Like? Collaboration Not Co-teaching Alternative for strict guidelines of Co-teaching Alternative for Small Student Populations 1-2 special education teachers services a variety of grade levels or content areas Work with multiple teachers during the same period of day No regular schedule of being in classrooms Push-In teaching minutes are not services provided Supports LRE Goals (Least Restrictive Environment)

3 Branches of Special Education School Building Special Education Teacher Director Paraprofessional

SpEd Teacher Communication is Key Admin GenEd Para Teacher Student Cycle of Meetings

Role of Special Education Teacher Learning Expert Content Supporter Co-teacher Helps differentiate instruction Levels the playing field Monitors accommodations and modifications implementation Monitors IEP goal progression Fosters relationship between general education teacher and paraprofessional Weekly meetings General education teacher Paraprofessionals Administrator Interpret evaluation information and how it affects learning

Weekly Meeting Log Week of ­­­______________________________________ Staff member(s)   Student / Updates Staff Concerns Outcome

Staff Contact Log Staff member(s)   Date / Admin Topic / Student Notes

Role of Administration Support Everyone Require it Accountability Work with building principals Liaison between teacher, special education teacher, students, parents, and outside community resources

Role of Para-Professional Knows Responsibilities Works Closely with Special Education Teacher Daily discussions Weekly meetings Monitors Progress in the General education classroom Paraprofessional Log Monitors IEP goals to report progression to SPED teacher Assist with accommodations and modifications Open and interactive with general education teacher and special education teacher

Paraprofessional Log Week of ­­­______________________________________ Class   Students / Updates Concerns Assignments

Role of Content Teacher Content Expert Weekly meetings with special education teacher Open classroom to special education teacher and paraprofessional Co-teaching atmosphere Comfortable with SPED teacher and para coming in at anytime Treat all students equally in the classroom Assist in accommodations and modifications with IEP students Let Special Education teacher know of lesson plan changes Understand responsibilities and expectations with PITS

Role of Students Work appropriately with general education teacher, special education teacher, and paraprofessional Treat special education students as equals in the classroom Viking Character Development Group work Accommodations/modifications Complete grade-level curriculum

Modification and Accommodations Special education teacher oversees the implementation in the general education classroom General education teacher accommodates and modifies assignments with guidance from SPED teacher and IEP Paraprofessional implements acc/mod from instructions given by special education teacher Students have a responsibility to know and understand their own acc/mod Documentation for initial conversation should be signed and dated by both teachers Special education teacher keeps documentation done by the implementation team in student working file General education teacher and paraprofessional document their contribution as needed and share at weekly meetings

Schedule…. I have no schedule Let all stakeholders know that the special education staff schedules are tentative. Issues arise that cause us to not be where our schedule says. Create tentative calendar/schedule for meetings Again everyone understands possibility of change Communication, Communication, Communication Let teachers know of change if possible

Schedule…. Tell me where to go Paraprofessional Schedule Schedule is less flexible Based on greatest student need Follows schedule created by SPED teacher SPED teacher will change schedule if requests are made by general education teachers.

This is how we roll…. This is what we do at La Monte R-IV. Every school is different, and it is finding what works for you. PITS will not work for every teacher. Modifying things as you roll along. BE FLEXIBLE

Q & A Don’t be afraid to ask!