5 Hard Truths About Co-Teaching—And What to Do About Them
Let’s be real—co-teaching can feel like a bad arranged marriage if it’s not done right. One teacher takes the lead while the other plays backup. Planning time is non-existent. And worst of all? Your students aren’t getting the Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) they need.
💡 The Problem: Too many special education teachers are sidelined in co-teaching, stuck in “helper” mode instead of delivering real, intentional instruction.
🚨 The Hard Truth: If you don’t advocate for your role, no one will.
🔥 Ready to take back your power? Here are five hard truths about co-teaching—and how to fix them.
💥 The Wake-Up Call I Didn't See Coming 💥
Years ago, I walked into my first co-taught classroom thinking I was about to revolutionize the way we supported students with disabilities. I had my lesson tweaks, accommodations, and SDI strategies all lined up. Then reality hit me like a freight train.
The general ed teacher had been doing this for years and had a rhythm. A routine. And that routine didn’t include me doing much of anything other than “helping out.”
"Hey, can you walk around and make sure they’re on task?" she asked as she launched into her lecture.
Walk around? Make sure they’re on task? My degree, my expertise, my passion for teaching—all reduced to glorified classroom management.
That was the moment I knew—if I didn’t define my role, someone else would. And if you’re a special education teacher, chances are you’ve had that same gut-punch moment.
So let’s talk about how to stop playing assistant and start TEACHING.
🔥 Hard Truth #1: If You Don't Define Your Role, Someone Else Will 🔥
➡ If your co-teacher sees you as an assistant, you’ll stay in that box.
✅ Fix It: Set expectations early. Day 1, sit down and clarify:
Who’s leading what?
How will SDI be embedded?
How will you BOTH share instructional responsibility?
📢 Say it loud: “I’m not here to assist—I’m here to TEACH.”
🔥 Hard Truth #2: Without Planning Time, You’re Just Winging It 🔥
➡ If you don’t plan together, you’ll always be one step behind in the lesson.
✅ Fix It: Demand planning time. Get creative if needed:
Ask for common planning periods in your schedule.
Use shared Google Docs or voice notes if in-person meetings aren’t possible.
Advocate for admin support—co-teaching without planning is a compliance issue.
📢 Say it loud: “If we don’t plan together, we’re just two teachers in the same room.”
🔥 Hard Truth #3: SDI is Your Superpower—Use It or Lose It 🔥
➡ If all you’re doing is modifying assignments, you’re not providing SDI.
✅ Fix It: Bring SDI into every lesson.
Use explicit, structured teaching strategies (not just accommodations).
Incorporate small-group and parallel teaching instead of always supporting whole group.
Track data to prove that your instruction is making an impact.
📢 Say it loud: “Accommodations are NOT Specially Designed Instruction.”
🔥 Hard Truth #4: General Ed Teachers Don’t Always Get It—And That’s Okay 🔥
➡ Most gen ed teachers aren’t trained in special education. That’s YOUR lane.
✅ Fix It: Lead with knowledge.
Educate your co-teacher on disability-specific strategies.
Share quick wins—small changes that help all students, not just those with IEPs.
Be confident. You are the expert on SDI—own that role.
📢 Say it loud: “I’m here to bring expertise, not just ‘help out.’”
🔥 Hard Truth #5: If You’re Not Speaking Up, You’re Letting Students Down 🔥
➡ Sitting back while bad co-teaching happens = educational malpractice.
✅ Fix It: Be bold in advocating for what your students need.
If you see passive co-teaching, call it out (professionally).
If students aren’t getting SDI, push for a change.
If admin isn’t supporting co-teaching, document it and bring solutions.
📢 Say it loud: “I’m here for student success, not to make adults comfortable.”
🚀 Your Next Move: Take Action
Co-teaching can be transformative—but only if special education teachers step up and claim their power.
💬 Drop a comment: Which of these hard truths hit home for you? How are YOU making co-teaching work in your school?
🔥 Want more real talk? Get my books, Unapologetically Special: A Manifesto for SPED Teachers to Disrupt, Demand, and Deliver, here, The Co-teaching Playbook here and The Special Ed. Rookie Blueprint here
Start changing the game today!
#SpecialEducation #CoTeaching #SPEDucators #UnapologeticTeaching
