Interesting

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Interesting
By Julianne

Wow! That's an interesting model. Several points you might want to discuss with your team:

1. You might want to be sure your specific jobs are in writing. Clarify, in writing, who should be where and doing what. This
way you can refer to the document if there are problems later. It can always be refined but at least everyone will be on the same page to begin.
2. Each teacher will be more comfortable with their own desk and storage area. I've found that some of the stickiest problems in teaming come from having to share pencils, desk drawers and scissors. If you must share a desk at least have

separate drawers. ASK before borrowing anything.

3. Determine ahead of time how housekeeping items will be handled. Who will make announcements, send home notes, follow through on discipline. Who will fill the bulletin boards and with what? Where will you let artwork dry? Where do students turn in work? Who is responsible for marking and recording what? What about make-up work? (In my situation I come in the afternoon, so my partner marks and records all homework, even makeup stuff I've given the previous afternoon.)

4. How will parent/teacher conferences be handled? What about informal discussions with parents? When there is a problem, who will call and how will that be reported to the others in the team? Will you all use the same discipline approach? The same rewards? I've found in my situation that it works better if you use the same discipline and the same rewards.

5. When you disagree about anything, how will it be handled? Will one teacher be the teacher-leader, or will all have an equal voice?

Well, I'm making it sound impossibly complicated. It really isn't. And I LOVE having a colleague to discuss things with - someone who knows the same kids I know. I think the key word is communication. Good luck and let us know how it goes!