Several key things are needed for successful co-teaching:

• Clear communication and role definition. General education teachers and ELL teachers need to discuss their roles, responsibilities, communication style preferences up front. Who will lead instruction, manage behavior, grade assignments, etc. needs to be decided.

• Shared philosophy. The teachers must be on the same page about goals, approaches, and instructional methods. They need to believe in the benefits of inclusion and co-teaching.

• Competence and confidence. The teachers should feel adequately prepared to co-teach. They may need professional development together. Confidence in each other's abilities is key.

• Planning time. Co-teachers need dedicated time to plan together. They should co-plan all lessons, activities, materials, assessments, etc. Advance planning leads to smooth delivery.

• Flexibility. Co-teaching requires flexibility and willingness to compromise. Teachers may need to adjust schedules, roles, materials, etc. based on student needs and dynamics.

• Parity. There should be equal status, responsibilities, and authority between the co-teachers. Neither teacher is more in charge than the other. They collaborate as peers.

• Support. Co-teachers need support from administrators, mentors, and professional development providers. Support helps them work through challenges and improve their practice.

• Willingness to learn. Strong co-teachers have a growth mindset. They observe each other, evaluate the effectiveness of lessons, and make adjustments to improve student outcomes. They learn from each other.

Those are key ingredients for successful co-teaching partnerships according to experts in the field. Please let me know if you have any other questions!