Kevin Kobold teaches geometry with a partner at South Fork High School in Stuart as part of a co-teaching model now in its second year at the school. District officials say the approach will soon be introduced in Martin County elementary schools.

The co-teaching model places two instructors in the same classroom. Kobold said a typical class has 28 to 29 students. With two teachers splitting the room, the ratio becomes roughly 15 students to one teacher, allowing more individual attention for struggling students.

"I'm helping take a lot off her weight that she doesn't have to be up there instructing from bell to bell every class. I can be doing the same thing too. So, getting to know your co-teacher and knowing your role in the classroom, I think, is key there," Kobold said.

Kobold focuses on making geometry lessons interactive rather than relying on note-taking. He uses whiteboards and stations to help students engage with material, particularly when reviewing for tests. He said guided notes prevent students from having to write two pages of their own handwriting, which can cause many to disengage.

District officials said students respect Kobold, which he attributes to building rapport early. He asks about students' activities outside class, such as football games or band practice. "Once you get to know them and know what they do out of the classroom, then you see like their eyes light up, and now they want to come in class," he said.

Kobold said his main goal is teaching problem-solving skills that extend beyond geometry. "This is really about solving problems that come up in your life when you're given certain information. How am I going to solve this problem?" he said. "A lot of them may not have a career that requires them to remember the Pythagorean theorem or something from geometry, but they're going to be faced with issues in their life, and I don't want them to just hide from them."

Co-teaching has been used in Martin County middle and high schools over the past few years. This is the second year at South Fork High School.