Co-taught classes- The Roles of a Teacher

        I have been in a classroom for a few hours where the inclusion program is prevalent, but only the teacher and I know exactly which students are exceptional students. Half of the students are the "normal learners" and the other half are exceptional students. Each lesson is taught by the regular teacher and the special education teacher. The students in the class don't know anything different than having the two teachers every day, but there is a reason for this. Both teachers know exactly what is required of them to teach, but because they knew what the students were each dealing with inside and outside of the classroom they could teach the lessons in ways that the students could understand and comprehend better. I watched as the regular ed teacher taught some of the students were confused and would try to ask questions,but would still be confused after an answer that might seem clear normally was given. Once the special ed teacher taught the rest of the lesson that same student might still have a question but they were checking their understanding instead of questioning the subject.
        I believe that one of the most important roles of a teacher is to help students feel confident in what they are learning, how it applies to them, and help them feel safe to question things in the classroom. If a child does not feel that they can ask questions while they are learning they will not grow as much as they could. Students need clarification because as they are starting out in school so many things are confusing and new to them, and the teacher is the one they look to to help them succeed in a new environment. If a student feels confident that the teacher will respect them and try to help clarify things for them they in turn are more willing to listen to the teacher and try to understand what they are learning. Once a student has tuned in to the lessons they want to know why it is important or how it is used in their every day life. If the teacher can give an example of the usefulness of the subject mater the student begins to absorb the information and apply it to the example given and they look for more examples on their own.