With about 13% of public school students qualifying for special education services and a majority of these students being served in the general setting, inclusion services that are successful, appropriate and relevant have become central. Lori Long, a special education teacher at South Macon Elementary School, shared some details with us about what has made inclusion work well for her, her co-teacher and her students.
Meaningful co-planning has been their first ingredient to success. Lori and her co-teacher, Crystal Teem, spend an hour each week unpacking content and planning activities for the week to come. Activities are planned to factor in many different levels of abilities and needs. Lori says that during planning, “we try to plan for all groups to incorporate the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.” Instruction, activities, and targeted interventions are often delivered in small groups within the class to better meet individual needs.
Lori says a positive and supportive relationship between co-teachers helps promote successful inclusion, and she speaks highly of her co-teacher, giving her credit for the ideas behind many of the activities that they have planned and implemented. The importance of trust, respect and mutual ownership for a class that is co-taught cannot be overstated. Lori and Crystal may have different responsibilities when it comes to planning and teaching, but the goal is the same, success for all students and engaging and meaningful learning. In addition to a strong co-teaching partnership, Lori said a supportive administration has also been an important element to their success.
Lori also emphasizes the importance of students with disabilities having the opportunity to learn alongside their non-disabled peers. She wants all of her students to have meaningful and authentic experiences which connect to their learning. One specific unit they recently completed included an in-depth study of the Cherokee Indians which ended with a field trip to visit Cherokee, NC. Lori’s commercial driver license opens many doors to field trips for their students to take learning beyond the classroom walls.
Lori Long (left) and Crystal Teem (right) displaying a shirt with the student selected Native American name painted on