The Leap to Successful Team Teaching

The approaches to team teaching are many! First you might ask yourself: “What is team teaching exactly?” Well…..

“Two or more teachers engaged in the process of teaching, including preparation, planning, material design, actual teaching and assessment” (Barahona, 2017)

However, the definition of team teaching can differ as situations where in it is practiced vary! Team teaching is used in general education, inclusive education and even when edifying prospective teachers. The benefits of team teaching are many but it can be condensed into this: A synergy created between teachers and students alike which enhances all educational activities resulting in reaching educational goals that much quicker.

Though collaborative educational approaches≠ successful collaboration. In fact, as Muraswki & Dieker (2008) humorously put it, educators who partake in collaborative approaches to teaching often relate this to a marriage; and as with many marriages this can result in struggle, separation and even divorce.

How do you get your team ready for successful team teaching?

Though a lot of information on team teaching is theoretical Franke (2010) defined six steps to creating a successful team.

1. Get to know your colleague

This seems obvious, and it is. As co-teachers, you have to have a professional relationship with your colleague. Having a “close bond” isn’t necessary, but is more enjoyable for all parties. Students shouldn’t be able to notice that their teachers in actuality do not get along.

2. Discuss teaching style

It’s important to know how your colleague sees themselves as a teacher. It’s recommendable to observe each other’s teaching style so that it’s clear to both parties what to expect. A good guide to have this conversation is based on Grasha’s model.

According to Grasha (1994) there are five types of teaching styles, which are as follows:

1. Expert: Teacher strives to maintain status as an expert among students and attempts to challenge students to enhance their competence.
2. Formal Authority: Students concentrate on correct, acceptable, and standard methods while teacher provides positive and negative feedback.
3. Personal Model: Teacher believes in teaching by personal example and encourages students to observe and emulate instructor’s approach.
4. Facilitator: Teacher guides and directs students by asking questions, exploring options, and suggesting alternatives. Goal is to develop student’s independent action, responsibility, initiative, and responsibility.
5. Delegator: This educator encourages students to work on projects independently or as part of autonomous teams. Teacher is available on request as resource.

3. Analyze personal teaching style

After having had a (co-generative) conversation with your duo it’s time to analyze your own personal teaching style, before continuing. Try this by creating a personal SWOT and a SWOT for your colleague.

Tip: A good team teaching duo is when each member is able to bring their strengths to the table consistently.

4. Prepare/evaluate lessons together

The next logical step after assesing each other’s teaching abilities is to prep lessons and evaluate the results together afterwards.

Prepping lessons together should happen meticulously in the beginning of the team teaching relationship. Make sure to communicate clearly and make agreements.

5. Keep discussing

In education settings, there are many factors that can influence the team teaching relationship, e.g., students, classrooms, content, etc. Over time these factors can change. It’s important to optimise the relationship by continuing to be open with each other.

6. Keep experimenting

Team teaching approaches are a means to experiment with different and new workforms. It’s also a way to implement differentiation and different teaching styles. Start with the most approachable team teaching model and continue from there…..

There you have it six steps to creating a successful team teaching duo. Interested in learning more about team teaching models? click here.

Sources:

1. Barahona, M. (2017). Exploring Models of Team Teaching in Initial Foreign/Second LanguageTeacher Education: A Study in Situated Collaboration. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 42(12), 143–161
2. Murawski, W. W., & Dieker, L. (2008). 50 Ways to Keep Your Co-Teacher. TeachingExceptional Children, 40(4), 40–48.
3. Franke, R. (2010). Co-teaching: Meer handen in de klas. Alphen aan den Rijn: Framework Educatieve Dienstverlening.
4. Grasha, A. F. (1994). A Matter of Style: The Teacher as Expert, Formal Authority, Personal Model, Facilitator, and Delegator. College Teaching, 42(2), 142–149.