Team teaching can be both an incredible privilege and an immense challenge all at the same time! One teacher recently described team teaching as going on a blind date and getting married! And it can be like that. However, with some simple structures and strategies team teaching can be the best teaching years of your career. Let’s explore . . . What is Team Teaching? Team teaching is when two (or more) teachers equally share the responsibility of the learning for the students in the classroom. It is different from job sharing where one teacher might teach three days a week and the other two days. In a team teaching environment, both teachers interact with all the students at different times. There are six widely accepted models used in classrooms and you may use several of these over the course of a day or week.
status in all six models. Of course, there are pluses and minuses for these approaches . . . The Advantages of Team Teaching: Whilst we know that all students don’t learn at the same rate, team teaching gives your learners the opportunity to have a more personalised and expertise rich experience in the classroom. Team teaching allows teachers to work from their strengths and have their weaknesses remedied, meaning students receive a higher level of instruction in all subjects. Research shows an increase in quality teaching as each teacher approaches topics from a different angle. Evaluation can be less onerous,
6 Ways to Team Teach: 1. One Teach One Observe: While one teacher is delivering instruction to the class, the other teacher observes specific students and collects data. This may be for an IEP or a behavioural analysis. It is important for both teachers to make time to analyse and act upon the information collected. 2. One Teach One Assist: One teacher takes on the primary responsibility for the instruction while the other assists by roaming around the class, helping individuals and managing behaviour. 3. Parallel Teaching: The class is split into two groups and both teachers teach the same instruction to each group. 4. Rotational Teaching: Each teacher plans and is responsible for a different aspect of a lesson. Students are divided into 2 to 4 groups and they rotate around the ‘stations’ including 1-2 independent work stations. 5. Alternative Teaching: One teacher teaches to the majority of the class, while the other takes small groups to work with. This might be an extension, catch up or remedial group of the same or different lesson. 6. Tag Teaching: Both teachers are at the front of the class teaching together. Here teachers plan together and share equal responsibility for the content and learning. This teaching may be scripted or spontaneous.
It is important to note these styles are mix and match and there is ‘no one size fits all’ formula and that both Teachers have equal
more insightful and balanced when a team approach is used. Responsibilities are spread and working closely alongside colleagues builds a stronger community in a school. Teachers can share insights with one another, give new ideas and try out different strategies, as well as learn from each other. Shared decision making can boost morale and self confidence. The Disadvantages of Team Teaching: On the flip side team teaching is not always successful. If a teacher is fixed in his or her ways and not flexible in their thinking, team teaching could be a challenge. Personality clashes often occur and the vulnerability of working alongside another colleague can cause teachers to worry about the fear of failure or humiliation. Some teachers also fear the loss of control. Team teaching can be more demanding on a teacher’s time and energy and finding a mutually agreeable time for planning and evaluation is sometimes a challenge. The approach of team teaching is not the only answer to challenges faced in education. It requires planning, skilled management, willingness to risk change & failure. It takes humility, open mindedness, imagination, and creativity. Experienced teachers comment, ‘the results are worth it’ Success Strategies & Best Practice: ■■
Plan together: Two teachers bring a rich expertise and experience so take time to work out each other’s strengths and how best to use these. Mix and match the six ways to team teach throughout the day and even lesson. It is recommended you spend 15 minutes each morning going through your daily plan and aligning your day. Use this time to ‘check in’ with
each other on a personal level and see how you might support each other for a successful day. Communication is key, as is clear planning. Lack of planning can lead to territorialism which is counterproductive to the learning for your students. ■■ Clearly define roles and responsibilities: Creating a united front is imperative. Discuss topics such as classroom procedures, behaviour expectations, home and school communication, homework views, even cleanliness of the classroom and teacher workspace. It is often the little things that will be ultimately important to ensure you work together well. Having mutual agreements about how the classroom runs will also help avoid students playing one teacher off against the other. ■■ Respect each other: Mutual respect is a critical component to team teaching success. Take time to learn and get to know about each other both professionally and personally. There will be times you disagree. Remember you are disagreeing with the idea and not the person. Practice listening to understand rather than listening to reply. Your words and gestures can speak volumes, so show respect towards your team mate in all you do. ■■ Be flexible: Be willing to take risks and grow. Try new ideas and something different. Be willing to put aside your ‘tried and true’ strategies. ■■ Don’t take yourself too seriously: Take your work seriously but not yourself. Innovation requires failure and if a new strategy doesn’t work, have a laugh together and evaluate to make improvements. Approach this role as an adventure and a wonderful learning opportunity for yourself and your team mate.
Paging & Sound Systems I Portable PA Systems I Wireless Microphones
$19gs9t 5 +
The Challenger 1000 with Speaker, Microphone and Stand – all ready to go, freight to your school included. This PA system package combines the best sounding portable PA system in New Zealand with a wireless microphone and speaker stand. Fully featured, top quality, easy to use, reliable and this package includes a stand, weather cover and handheld wireless microphone. Built-in trolley and powerful rechargeable batteries so you can take it anywhere. $1995+gst for the wireless PA system package at this link: https://www.edwardsnz.co.nz/product/challenger1000-with-mic%2c-speaker-stand-and-cover-11089.htmx
Contact us today for complimentary consultation 0800 433927 | sales@edwardsnz.co.nz | edwardsnz.co.nz
Communicate clearly: Ensure you are in constant communication and find ways to also plan in less formal ways. Have lunch together each day and quickly check in on how the day is going. Use google docs for shared planning so as not to replicate work. Use text and email with clear guidelines of how soon you want the other person to respond and the actions you want them to take. Talk about how you will give feedback to each other. Decide on boundaries of communication, for example not after 9pm, and the appropriate response times. ■■ Check in periodically: Prioritise time every 3–4 weeks to check in and have an honest conversation about how you are working together. Discuss topics such as, are there any management issues which need clarifying, are you sharing the airtime with students, is the work divided equitably, are you using your strengths in the best way? ■■ Seek support when required: If teaching together is not working ask for help. Avoid going to other teachers who may take ‘sides’. This is also about respecting the collegial relationship you have with your team teacher and you do not want to undermine this. Ask leadership for guidance and observations in class to feed back on specific aspects of the teaching. It is always helpful to approach these meetings with respect for your colleague and having a couple of possible solutions that might solve the challenge you are having. ■■ Choose a focus student of the week: Team teaching sometimes means you have more students in your classroom and it is possible that some students get ‘missed’ by the teachers, as the students are simply compliant and get on with their work. Choose a focus student of the week and both take time to observe and learn more about them. Prioritise a time at the end of the week to discuss this student and what ■■
you noticed and any actions that you might both take to help enhance the learning for this student. The student is not required to know they are part of your focus – it is just for you both. Ensure you diary note and record observations together.
If you are team teaching please share your favourite success tips. If you are about to launch into it, take your time and enjoy the process. References ILE, Karen Tui Boyes, MLE, Team Teaching. Published on Saturday, March 16th, 2019, under Modern learning environment, Teacher Effectiveness About the Author Karen Tui Boyes is a champion for Life Long Learning across nations, industries and organisations. Winner of the NZ Educator of the Year 2017 and 2014 and the NZ Speaker of the Year award in 2013 & 2019, Karen is a sought after speaker who continually gets rave reviews from audiences around the world. Her dynamic style and highly informative content—which turns the latest educational research into easy-toimplement strategies and techniques — sets her apart from others in her field.
MAXIMISING THE ADVANTAGE OF OUTDOOR LEARNING
Blockhouse Bay Intermediate
“Uniport have delivered an exceptional outcome, on time, at cost and with no disruption to the school. Mark and his team worked hard to understand our school needs. This is a ‘forever’ structure, adding value to generations of learners in our community.” Michael Malins – Principal, Blockhouse Bay Intermediate
CALL NOW
UPGRADE WITH SHADE…
• Protect Students / Staff all year round • Extend your usable classroom space • School shelters, classroom verandahs & more • Engineered robust & strong • Nationwide Installation
| 0800 864 767 | mark@uniport.co.nz | www.uniport.co.nz
NEW AND ESSENTIAL RESOURCES FOR 2020 FAST & EFFECTIVE ASSESSMENT: How to Reduce Your Workload & Improve Student Learning Discover dozens of classroom-tested strategies that lessen teachers’ workload while improving students’ understanding.
THE CAFE BOOK, Expanded Second Edition
180 DAYS OF SELFCARE FOR BUSY EDUCATORS
In this updated and expanded edition of a well-loved classic, Gail Boushey and Allison Behne draw on a decade of research on the most effective reading instruction for students.
Participate in 180 days of self care with this guide to low-cost and no-cost research-based practices to support health and wellbeing inside the classroom and out.
118002 • A$39.95
SHP9983 • A$49.95
SOT9952 • A$39.95
Glen Pearsall
Gail Boushey and Allison Behne
Tina Boogren
HELP YOUR TEAM: Overcoming Common Collaborative Challenges in a PLC at Work®
TO KNOW AND NURTURE A READER: Conferring with Confidence & Joy
USING AND ANALYSING DATA IN AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS: Why, How and What
A practical, get-going guide to conferring with students with stepby-step guidance that is considerate of the real-life demands of the classroom.
Overcome common struggles encountered by collaborative teams in PLCs with this expertwritten, practical guide to team building.
Bring data to life with this practical guide to creating a classroom culture that will transform and inspire students.
SOT4057 • A$39.95
SHP8603 • A$49.95
HB6739 • A$45.95
Michael D. Bayewitz et al.
Kari Yates and Christina Nosek
Selena Fisk All prices quoted in Australian dollars
ATTEND A 2020 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENT DIFFERENTIATION
Institute
High Reliability Schools
With Carol Ann Tomlinson
SUMMIT
26–27 Mar 2020 BRISBANE
22–25 May 2020 MELBOURNE
27–28 Aug 2020 MELBOURNE
29–30 Oct 2020 SYDNEY
The essential event that translates 50 years of research into practical strategies attendees can use to advance student achievement.
The most innovative professional learning event on the Australasian calendar returns with four days of the biggest ideas in education.
Join the world’s leading PLC at Work® experts for two days of dynamic and intensive immersion in the three big ideas of PLC at Work®.
Discover how differentiation can enhance learning for all students, informed by the latest in educational neuroscience research.
ORDER NOW OR BOOK YOUR PLACE AT HBE.COM.AU +61 3 8558 2444
+61 3 8558 2400
www.hbe.com.au
orders@hbe.com.au