Beacon expands co-teaching, in-class therapy and launches Astra clinic at Rombout

Heather Chadwell Dennis, assistant superintendent for pupil personnel services, presented the district's strategic planning for inclusion and related services at the Oct. 6 Beacon City School District Board meeting, describing expanded integrated co-teaching, new sensory and quiet spaces in classrooms and hallways, and a newly established Astra clinic at Rombout.

Chadwell Dennis said the district has been piloting an inclusive co-teaching model (integrated co-teaching) and expanding professional development, coaching and monthly office hours for teachers. She cited specific participation numbers from a district survey: 30 elementary survey returns, 15 from Rombout, and 30 from Beacon High School for the integrated co-teaching pairs. The district is moving toward pairing special education teachers who are dual-certified with subject areas where they hold certification so those teachers "are teaching in a content that they feel strong in," she…