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T O P I C : Dousing Another's Fires Julia raises the issue: I am working at a middle school that divides its students using pods. This structure affords me the opportunity to work with multiple teachers throughout the day in a way that I believe truly is helpful to the students. At every team meeting we discuss our students — who is doing well, who is struggling, who we need to bring in to talk with — and we are able to create a small community within our school where the students can feel comfortable. They know there are at least four teachers who are keeping close tabs on how they are doing at school and at home. To say the least, it has been an eye-opening experience to work with multiple teachers and witness the dynamic that exists among them. I have been learning a lot about teacher interaction and all the ups and downs that go along with working with a team. My ponder has to do with the interactions of teachers, but on a different level from the team concept. Our pod has many inclusion students. Another teacher is actually in the classroom with my mentor teacher and me during a couple of classes. This teacher is responsible for giving extra attention and help to the inclusion students when it is needed. It is really wonderful to have this extra teacher present (who, in our case, knows the kids well), and to have someone who can give individual attention to students, whether or not that student is an inclusion student, when my mentor or I may be working with someone else. What I find myself pondering during the day is how I can work well with someone who has a different way of dealing with the students, a way that is more blunt and abrupt than me? Often this teacher sees events and occurrences in an unclear, distorted way, and mishandles situations because he/she does not see the whole picture. In my own classroom I have to douse fires caused by another teacher. Posted October 3, 2008
 R E S P O N S E : Look for Alternative Methods Brian Lee writes: I have seen this situation occur with several teachers from my first rotation. It usually involved either an ESL teacher, LitCoach, or SPED teacher entering the regular teacher's classroom and either distracting the regular teacher or being confrontational. Many of the regular teachers I saw this happen to would simply ignore the situation because the additional teacher was not in the classroom everyday. I would suggest talking with this other teacher about alternative methods of dealing with students. If that does not work, I would consult with the assistant principal. Extra help is great when its not interfering with the whole class dynamic. Posted November 16, 2008
R E S P O N S E : A Pecking Order? Elizabeth Findlay writes: Working with extra teachers is still kind of a mystery to me. Does the regular teacher have some kind of pecking order advantage, or does it automatically become a completely co-taught room? I understand that ESL/SPED/etc. teachers are teachers too, but I don't think they should be able to change the dynamic of a classroom. I would talk to your mentor about how you're having to clear things up ... perhaps she has enough authority to confront the other teacher? Posted December 4, 2008
R E S P O N S E : Address the Differences Scott Koenig writes: I, too, have noticed the same issue at times in the classroom. I’ve been involved in a situation where one teacher was laid back, choosing to deal with students in a more relaxed manner while the other teacher was a disciplinarian who didn’t allow any wiggle room. The teachers in that class had to support each other, even when the other’s style didn’t fit the situation. If there’s any hint of dissent in front of the students, the students will pick up on it and pick a side (if they haven’t already). Though you should support the other teacher’s style, I think there is a time when the differences need to be addressed. If you feel some of your students are being treated unfairly, or that a contentious climate has been created, then you should definitely approach the teacher — after or between classes — with your concerns. If they respond unfavorably, then the administration needs to be contacted with your concerns. Posted December 5, 2008
E-mail your suggestions and comments to fbowles@uark.edu 
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