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Special Education Co-Teacher 7th Grade, Team Hawks

JoAnne Germano

germanoj@schenectady.k12.ny.us

I am here to help you and your child in any way that I can. Last week I called all home for all the students on my case load,
hoping to set up a way for us to stay in contact. I am available by email or text, please let me know which way is best for you.

As 7th graders there are many changes your child will be experiencing this year. They have 7 periods and seven teachers, the
materials for each of those classes and the need to transition between periods in a given time. The entire 7th grade team will
be working on these skills throughout the beginning of the year.

I began my career as a k-8th grade generalist, later adding my special education certification. As a co-teacher I bring this
training and years of classroom experience to Team Hawks.

The following paragraphs were taken directly from the Schenectady City School Districts website.

Integrated Co-Teaching is for students who are significantly delayed in reading, writing and math. They receive differing
levels of support depending on the grade level. In the elementary program, co-teaching is two hours a day in the general
education classroom where the special education teacher plans and co-teachers alongside the general education teacher. The
special education teacher also provides 30 extra minutes each day for explicit instruction in reading and/or math. In the
middle and high school levels, co-teaching is provided for all core subjects and there is also an additional class period for pre-
teaching and re-teaching. In these classes the general education and special education teacher plan and co-teacher together.

Resource room programs are divided into four categories; Reading and language resource room where explicit instruction
in reading is provided alongside language therapy; Organization and writing resource rooms are for students who struggle
with writing and organizational skills. They have access to software programs that assist in their writing; Learner support
resource room provides math support; and Social development and self-regulation resource room provide support, as
needed throughout the day, for students who struggle with these issues.

Students are reviewed each year to determine which special education services are appropriate. Students may move from
special classes, directly to resource room or to integrated co-teach. Students may also move from Resource Room to
Integrated Co-teach or Special Class.

Resources available on the districts Special Education website: www.schenectady.k12.ny.us

Special Education Plan

Resource Guide for Parents of Children with Disabilities

Community Resource Guide