Supporting Interactions in Special Needs Settings

Implementing CLASS® can be a challenge, especially in special education and inclusive settings. Teachers may initially feel they don’t have the time to handle or have other struggles that get in the way. Today’s guests discuss the implementation of CLASS in a special education setting to show how it can work. 
In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Early Childhood Special Education Coaches Jess Schuhart, Cindy Sigsbee, and Christie Johnson. Learn about the strategies they used for rolling out CLASS and supporting teachers and students throughout the rollout, their framework for dealing with bias, and how CLASS works in the special education setting. 
Topics Discussed in This Episode

[00:01:30] Introducing Christy, Jess, and Cindy
[00:03:16] Challenges in rolling out CLASS
[00:07:12] The framework for addressing bias
[00:13:42] Strategies for addressing bias
[00:16:25] Activities to foster a strong culture of improvement
[00:22:30] What happens during observations 
[00:23:19] How the teachers felt through the roll-out period
[00:26:52] Being sensitive as a coach as well as a teacher
[00:28:19] How teaching experiences impact coaching
[00:28:42] Cindy’s coaching experience
[00:30:30] Where the teachers started and how they moved 
[00:33:15] The biggest lessons learned and what should be done differently
[00:40:02] How CLASS is good for special education
[00:45:45] Favorite teacher quotes

Resources
Marnetta Larrimer
Jess Schuhart
Cindy Sigsbee
Christie Johnson