No abstract

In this chapter, the authors examine the implementation of the co-teaching model within the clinical experience of a post-baccalaureate teacher credential program, examining the different levels of understanding and buy-in to the co-teaching model. Implementing mixed methodologies, the authors look specifically at the co-teaching experiences of three science co-teaching pairs. Although pairs highlighted within this case study predominantly aligned more with a traditional model of student teaching, each pair had at least one moment of co-teaching, which either provided a better learning environment for the secondary students and/or professional development for both the pre-service and in-service teacher. In the discussion and implications section of the chapter, the authors explore why co-teaching occurred in these specific contexts and how a teacher education program might better support its co-teaching pairs in their understanding and implementation of co-teaching.

The research study described in this article is an extension of a yearlong mixed methods study of eight co-teaching pairs (four English and four science) and their implementation of co-teaching during the clinical experience. A year after these eight pre-service teachers participated in the co-teaching research study while enrolled in a teacher education program, they were interviewed at the conclusion of their first year of employed teaching with the goal of exploring the impact that the co-teaching experience had on their development as a teacher. Findings reveal that co-teaching during the clinical experience provides an opportunity to shape pre-service teachers to be collaborative, reflective practitioners who seek out opportunities to collaborate and position themselves as lifelong learners. However, teacher education programs that implement co-teaching during the clinical experience have a responsibility to ensure that co-teaching occurs with fidelity and that pre-service teachers are supported to transition to full-time employment where the day-to-day co-teaching opportunities may be more limited.