Team teaching has become quite a trend in elementary schools, and middle schools have utilized this technique to maximize school resources for decades. It’s hard to deny how effective it can be.
It creates a positive learning environment for students and gives teachers a chance to focus on one or two subjects instead of juggling five or six. But let’s be honest, when it’s not done right, team teaching can feel more like a headache than some help.
The key is making the experience smoother, not harder. When team teaching is done with intention, clear communication, and mutual respect, it actually makes life easier. Here are some real-life tips that help.
Tips for Team Teaching
Make Time to Talk
Whether you are an elementary school teacher switching classes with your neighbor or a middle school teacher teaching one subject, you have to be able to communicate with your fellow teammates. Good communication makes a successful team. Without it, team members will have a hard time adjusting to any new changes.
Make sure that you set aside time each day or week to communicate with your other team members. Be kind, respectful, and honest. Always be willing to share your ideas, as well as listen to others. If something is bothering you, then get it off your chest before it escalates. A strong teaching team means both talking and listening.
Stay Open to Change
It’s important to be flexible even when it may be the last thing you want to do. Things will not always go your way, or your partner may handle something differently than you would. That can be challenging. But being part of a team means learning to compromise and roll with the punches.
If you are the kind of person who has a hard time with this, then you will not do well in a team. Be prepared for the unexpected and be flexible when working within your team. The more flexible you are, the easier it is to move forward together.
Always Make Time for Planning
Organization and planning are a huge part of a successful team teaching experience. Oftentimes, teachers think that their own classroom approach will somehow fit in with the other teachers’ approach, and all will come together in unison, but this is not always the case. Without proper preparation, this can lead to failure. You have to plan together. Sit down and plan your rules, routines, grading, and lesson pacing so there is some consistency between the classrooms. Communication and planning go hand in hand. When you communicate with your fellow teachers, it makes it easier to plan and create higher-quality lesson plans. When planning is consistent, everyone benefits.
Respect Each Other’s Strengths
Every teacher has a different teaching style, personality, and classroom management strategy. With that said, you might not always agree, and that’s okay. However, when you are part of a team, you need to respect every member of that team as well as their opinion.
Respect isn’t just about getting along with others; it’s about valuing what the other person brings to the table. Maybe you’re great at organizing, and your teammate is great at math, play off those strengths. Don’t compare or try to compete, just let each team member shine in their own, unique way.
Divide and Conquer
One of the best parts of team teaching is the division of labor. However, it’s not about handing off tasks; it’s about delegating and deciding together how to divide the tasks in a way that is fair to all team members.
Avoid assigning things without a conversation. Instead of “You handle the parent portal and website, and I’ll do all the grading,” try something like, “Let’s look at what we both have going on and see what makes sense to split.” That kind of transparency builds trust.
Also, don’t assume everything has to be perfectly equal all the time. Sometimes, one teacher might take on more in one area while the other steps up in a different way. The key is to maintain balance over time, not necessarily from week to week.
Manage the Classroom Together as a Team
When there are two or more adults in one classroom, it can get confusing for students, especially if the adults aren’t aligned with one another. Remember, you are a team; your rules must be consistent. If students sense there is any tension or that you are not on the same page, then they will take advantage of that. However, being on a united front doesn’t have to mean that you believe in the same things; it just means that you are on the same page.
Lean Into Your Differences
You don’t have to teach the same way to make team teaching work. It’s often better when you don’t. Maybe you love tech tools, and your partner prefers hands-on projects; that’s okay. Leverage each other’s strengths instead of fighting against them. If your partner is better at assessments and you’re the go-to for classroom management strategies, trade-off. When you combine your skills, you build a stronger experience for students.
Students also benefit from seeing different approaches to learning. When two teachers bring different teaching styles to the table, it gives students more entry points to connect with the material.
Handle Conflict Like Adults
Disagreements happen; that’s completely expected when teaching in a team. However, it’s how you deal with it that matters. Don’t let small annoyances turn into major blowups. If you’re frustrated, have a one-on-one conversation before involving others.
Approach disagreements with the mindset of finding a solution, not being right. Be professional and always treat each other with respect. Your students are always watching, which means they are learning from you and how you manage and handle conflict.
Working together with another teacher or in a team-teaching situation can be a very rewarding experience. Like any relationship, it takes time to develop, and you will need to be patient. By implementing all of these strategies, you are setting yourself up for success. With a little planning, flexibility, and communication, team teaching can benefit both students and teachers.
You’ve got important career goals — we have the graduate program to get you there. Check out our available graduate degree programs to advance your career today!
