Co-Teaching in Clinical Practice and Beyond
The AACTE Co-Teaching in Clinical Practice Topical Action Group (TAG) held our annual business meeting during the AACTE 74th Annual Meeting in New Orleans in March. Among food and new friends, we elected new officers, reviewed the past year of work, and shared current themes in co-teaching. Amber Bechard, University of La Verne, is continuing as co-chair and I will continue as secretary (Kelly Meyer of University of Minnesota-Twin Cities). Newly elected as co-chair is Wendy Murawski, California State University-Northridge. We are still seeking a treasurer for this TAG.
Our goal for this past year and into this new year is to expand TAG membership and to involve practitioners in the work. During the fall of 2021, “Coffee Conversations” were imagined and implemented to connect members across the country while advancing co-teaching practices along the education continuum. We noted that co-teaching is occurring in higher education between faculty, in apprenticeship teaching between mentor/master and student teachers, and in PK-12 education between teachers and educational specialists. In order to add value to these conversations, practitioners and AACTE members are invited to share their experiences as we seek to better connect theory to practice. Continuing to offer these conversations and expand our understanding of the different permutations and applications of co-teaching is a priority for this TAG.
Another way we are working toward our goals is by co-sponsoring the National Association for Co-Teaching (NACT) National Conference held yearly in October. By co-sponsoring this event, we are able to connect with additional individuals who have the same interest and dedication to co-teaching. Also, in the fall of 2021, we introduced the “Engagement Award” to financially support interested co-teachers in attending the NACT conference. Selected co-teachers are awarded full registration fees and then commit to facilitating a “Coffee Conversation” with the TAG.
If you are interested in joining the co-teaching TAG, please visit the AACTE TAG page. Also, to better understand your interests, please fill out this short survey. We welcome all AACTE members who are involved or interested in co-teaching as a way to advance the profession.
Kelly Meyer
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
meyerk@umn.edu
Tags: content areas, membership, teacher quality
