Our school levels classrooms by reading scores. The highest functioning kids are in what is called the AP class. Each grade level also has an ELL class and an ESS class. My class contains the ESS students in our grade level. I have two students with IEPs. I have a lot of support from our ESS "push in" teacher (we also have a special ed teacher who works with students who are not mainstreamed. Instead of pulling students out, we push extra help into the classroom. She is in my room about 2 to 5 hours a week. When she is unavailable, we have a TA who comes in to assist. It has been wonderful to work with our ESS teacher. She has served as a mentor to me. We plan together weekly and use a team teaching approach when she is in the classroom. I asked her to teach a lesson this semester, which took a couple of days to present. We plan to have her do more teaching in the classroom next semester. It has been a very positive experience. The only challenge I had was early in the year when I was working on getting the classroom management under control. She was nothing but encouraging and only stepped in when I asked or with my permission. The TA, on the other hand, took the liberty of telling me that my class is pretty noisy, and have I considered using Dojo? I really didn't appreciate that because I was already using it and felt a little judged. It didn't get our relationship off on a great note, but we have worked through it. He is always willing to help with a small group if I ask or jump in to assist when the students are doing independent work. He does a good job with the kids. It kind of reminded me of all that unasked for advice I got at grocery stores when my kids were younger. He was probably out of line, but again I need to keep my pride in check. I know all too well what it is like to be a TA when you don't really like the way the teacher is doing things. Been there, done that. Glad to be where I am now.