There is an obvious push in special education to include all team members in decision-
making regarding not only the educational services of the student, but also the procedures
for managing that process. React to the heavy emphasis on collaboration in special
education: Is this good, bad, hindering, and/or progressive?
I feel that the heavy emphasis on collaboration in special education is a good thing because, this
is one of the best was for teachers to ensure that the student is getting the best chances at the best
education. Teachers need to work together to come up with the best plan for the student and
their needs so by discussion and collaborating we have a better understanding of just what that
may be. Ever heard that saying “two heads are better than one” that simple saying is basically
telling you that some task may be accomplished more easily by having two or more people
working together. When our student’s education goals are at question its better to have more than
just yourself working on it one teacher may have and idea that you haven’t thought of, or you
have an idea that they haven’t thought of. Collaboration allows us to put everyone’s idea’s
together so that we can come up with what is best for the student, when you work as teams
amazing things can happen.
You can even find in the Bible where it speaks of working in teams in 1 Peter 4:10 it says, “As
every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards
of the manifold grace of God”. Teamwork is the successful within special education
classroom.
But not only in special education, being a sub, I have worked along side some of the same
teachers for years, and if I need help with a student, I have sought out their help by seeking
advice on what I could do different or what I need to be doing. Collaboration should be a must
and it we should seek out the help of others. There is a quote that is by; Ken Blanchard which
says “None of Us are as Smart as All of us. So, if we think we are smart imagine how much
smarter we become if we all work together. Our text tells us that “Collaboration is a hallmark of
effective special education. In today’s inclusive schools, special educators are expected to
coordinate their work with that of other professionals” (Ludlow, 2011, p. 4).
So as Educators we should work and collaborate with other professionals, and as the saying goes
“team work makes the dream work” We should team up with our coworkers and do our best to
make our students dreams that pertain to their education work.
References
King James Bible Online. (n.d.). Retrieved from King James Bible:
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Learning/
Gargiulo, R. M., & Metcalf, D. J. (2017). Teaching in todays inclusive classrooms: A universal design
for learning approach. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
