Hello, Novembe
r! Today is the first day of the month and it’s the first Friday of the month. Are you ready to enter November’s First Friday Giveaway? I sure hope so!
The topic of teamwork is ricocheting around in my brain. I have to ask. Have you seen or heard about the jaw-dropping performances of the Buckeye Marching Band (The Ohio State University)? Zowie! The performances certainly show the power of teamwork.
So how do you benefit from teamwork? Describe one way teamwork improves your life, and you’re automatically entered in a drawing for a free book or eBook from The Mailbox! I’ll even include a school supply surprise or two! Just be sure to leave your comment on this blog before midnight, November 10, ET.
Happily,
Diane
PS: To see the teamwork of The Ohio State University Marching Band, search “OSU marching band 2013.”
I rely on the other members of my fifth grade team for what feels like EVERYTHING! We have leaned on each other for school needs, personal needs, resources, lesson plans, planning units together, and to get a laugh from each other, especially this year with the challenging demands of our job! I don’t know what I’d do without those other 5 fifth grade teachers!
I could not get through a day, let alone a week or a school year, without my teaching partner!! We help each other out ALL the time with lessons and ideas for helping kiddos. We also get together outside of school to help ourselves unwind! We are both better teachers for working together! =)
PS–that OSU performance WAS amazing!!
This year, after 20 years of teaching half day preschool and half day reading classes, I moved to teaching half day kindergarten and half day reading just 4 days before school started. (There were more kindergarteners registered than expected.) Not only did the other 2 kindergarten teachers share the materials they had since I was setting up a new classroom that had only a file cabinet and a teacher’s desk, but the reading teachers set up my reading room so that I could concentrate on setting up the new kindergarten room. Then other teachers in my building donated tables, chairs, pencils, crayons, markers, paper clips, tape, post-its, classroom manipulatives, books, posters, a rug, pencil sharpener, 2 book shelves and more! I had left all of my supplies and materials in the preschool classroom for the new preschool teacher so I was quite empty handed. Also our PTO purchased a Smart Board and parents throughout the district donated children’s books, blocks, learning games and other materials. Talk about team work! I am still being asked “Do you need anything?”
Teamwork is an essential part of teaching. Without the help of other teachers, I wouldn’t be able to do all that I do.
Without the help and support of the other 4 year-old teacher at school I would absolutely be insane. Recently, I became quite ill at school and we had lesson plans due; she told the principal how sick I was and she took the lesson plans (which we work together on anyway) and finished them and turned them in for both of us. This is our first year of teaching 4 year-olds at this school, so from day one we have worked as a team and are always helping each other.
I rely so much on other teachers in my grade and subject area. We help each other with lesson plans, resources, units, advice, and laughter. I couldn’t do without all these ladies!
We are short a couple teachers at our preschool right now. Myself and another teacher have been using teamwork to keep the rooms moving smoothly and making it fun and engaging for the kids.
Sure, having a good co-teacher is extremely important, but in our classroom we also practice teamwork amongst our 3, 4 & 5 year olds, daily. They work together to clean up, set up activities, get ready by helping each other with coats to go outside, group projects, setting up snack & lunch, and of course…the Teamwork song from a certain PBS children’s program. I feel our days just wouldn’t be nearly as productive as they are without our class-wide teamwork approach!
Teamwork is a mandatory when it comes to teaching. I rely on it daily to run a happy classroom and smooth transitions. With that you must also have good communication with your colleagues 🙂
I use teamwork in all aspects of my life. I’m a Home Daycare Provider the kids and I work as a team to keep things in order all day. We clean up, organize, and they even help with lunch and snacks. They are learning to from a very young age to use teamwork. I’m also an endurance runner. I couldn’t do half the races I do without my running partner. Everyone in my life seems to be a part of my team! I will be sure to thank them extra today.
Not too long ago, I was working in a three year-old room co-teaching with another teacher. From day one, I was miserable because the other teacher, having seniority over me, decided everything should be done her way and it I even tried to put in any input, she would shot the ideas down. I was to the point that I dreaded the thought of going into work every day. Then by chance, an opening popped up for the 4 year-old room. My new co-teacher asks for my input on everything and includes me in all aspects. I look forward to going into work again. If it weren’t for the team work that we have, I would have given up on a profession that I truly love.
My co worker and I toss ideas around with each other, and we encourage one another.
My fourteen year old daughter plays a big part of my teamwork. Even though she has tons of homework she still manage to make copies, jot ideas on post-it notes and stick them on the refrigerator and always has his work prepared when I am busy with working on other ideas. To me that is how teamwork relates in our situation.
Teamwork makes the difference between liking your job and loving it. Without team work you get very drained, feel lonely and just start not loving the incredible work you do. working with children each day you need another “adult” to listen, be there, support, and such as …with the kids you need to be 100% ON.
In my pre-k classroom the students, TA and I use teamwork to plan, gather materials and complete our plans through their interest and motivation we finish much more of what’s planned.
Team work is the only way to go. I lean on my assistant and she leans on me. We are a team. The kids in my classroom are a team as we work together to reach goals., Teachers are a team too as we learn from each other and helpeach other. I think Mailbox is part of the teaching team too.
I rely on the team for support, innovation and accountability. Without teamwork we would not accomplish and I wouldn’t be a successful teacher. “Each one, needs one, ” and I’m so thankful for my team!
This is the first year I have had an assistant., a young man. We are forming a good relationship and helping each other. I am always looking for new young ideas and it is great to have someone that can run and play with the children. My children work great as a team and are always working together to build, clean and write stories.
I teach Head Start children ranging in age from 3-5 years old. I am 1 of 3 teachers in my center. The staff in our center knows what teamwork is all about and values it for its worth. Teachers and aides work hand in hand…thats a given. We do what is necessary to keep our own classroom running smoothly, but also offer help and support to the other classrooms when and how we can. However, the teamwork doesn’t stop there. Whenever we’re short on staff our center director, family service advocate, bus driver, bus aide, cook and custodian are more than willing to step in to ensure we are always in ratio and the children are receivnig all the love and nurturing they deserve and that their educational and developmental needs are being met. The teamwork carries over outside the classroom as well. One couldn’t ask for more support and encouragement than this team offers.
TEAM= Together Each Accomplishes More! Always work for me! Think about anything we do in life- eat, sleep, teach, work, learn…it takes so many other people to help us- be it farmers who grow and harvest crops; truckers who deliver; stores who sell; police & fire to guard the night (& day!); teachers who help each other; staff who know just what ones needs; wonderful kids who teach each other and adults everyday… I could go on forever in naming how much teamwork contributes to my life. Thanks for asking & reading.
This is the first year our school is open and most of the teachers are from the school that closed down the street. I have two new grade partners. And we each take a subject to write lesson plans, because we have a new lesson plan format that none of us are familiar with. So instead of writing lesson plans for all subjects we just have one! It is so much easier, and we meet each week to discuss what we are going to do for the next week!
I am a 4K teacher in a school with an early childhood program. Our team of teachers rely on each other for new ideas, strategies to use with difficult children, and just to “vent” with each other.
The person who makes going to school every day enjoyable and energizing is my aide in the classroom. She is AWESOME!!!! She has been involved in early childhood for a number of years, and is in my room for the second year. She anticipates my lessons and duties, like a school-wide virtues bulletin board, and helps to plan, design, and implement the ideas after checking with me. I have always thought that she would have been a great lead teacher herself.
I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with her and consider her a very good friend. Can anyone ask for more??
Teamwork is so important to every job, but with teachers, it makes everything so much more interesting
Teamwork is important to teachers because it is a way to share the work in ways that benefits all of our students. We can each give what we do best to our grade level. That way our students receive the best that we all have to offer.
Teamwork is so important! My grade level is working as a team this year and I think this is my best year that I have had in the last 11! Everyone sharing, everyone caring, everyone supporting, everyone helping, everyone being there for each other, everyone feeling needed, and everyone is important to the group! It is a joy to go to work.
The saying “It takes a village to raise a child” definitely applies to teaching as well. Each member of the team (whether it is grade level, ARD, LPAC, or any other educational team) brings their own set of knowledge, skills, experiences, and beliefs. I always know that I can rely on other team members to help me problem solve situations that I may not have the answers for. I also have had a teaching partner that works in tandem with me for discipline, support, and celebration! No one teacher can do it alone!
Teamwork and sharing is the key to success for all…everyone..students and teachers!
TEAMWORK is SUCCESS!!! One could not accomplish all if there is no member who contributes to complete the tasks. I am so thankful that when it comes to teamwork each of us is on board.
I have worked in an environment where teamwork was key and I felt like we could conquer the world. And that is saying a lot when you are talking about 4 year olds! When I had to relocate, the next teaching job I had I felt like I was all alone for everything and I found myself being less and less ambitious. The activities I planned became ones that I could “survive” rather than the really exciting and special ones I was able to accomplish with a team behind me.
The kids deserve the best we have, and that requires TEAMWORK!
Teamwork has helped me out of a jam. A couple years ago I was in and out of the hospital a couple times due to kidney stones. Not only did my grade level buddies help out with my substitutes and class, but teachers from other grade levels helped out. I was so grateful to all of them. 🙂
I am new to my grade this year, departmentalizing, learning a new reading series, and a partial new administration. Without my team and all of us working together this year would be impossible. We lean and count on each and every day. We can not do it alone and when we work together, we move mountains!
Teamwork is vital to a healthy classroom . Without it , teachers get burned out! I know, because I work in a mixed age classroom with 18 kiddos. I sometimes feel that my much younger ast. is one more child in the class. I pretty much teach and manage the classroom by myself. So I am a tired ,and very burned out preschool teacher. I do not get support ,,teamwork with my ast. I have talked to my director of my preschool. I am hoping that I will get a new ast. that I can share the class with and have TEAMWORK in my class.
This year I have joined an amazing team. Because we work together with everything from planning lessons to running copies, my life has been made easier. Without their support and teamwork I think I would be floundering. Going from 4th to 1st is a challenge in itself, but also moving to Common Core and a new curriculum is daunting. Thanks team!
Because we are introducing the National Common Core Standards this year, teamwork has been more necessary than ever! I have always enjoyed learning from my peers, bouncing ideas off one another, but trying to understand something that we’ve had very little training in has become quite challenging. Thank goodness our team works well together!
Our team is constantly working together to collaborate on ways to implement the CCS this year . We meet weekly with chocolate and laughs to help boost our spirits and get the job done for our first grade students. We are there for each other for personal and professional needs, as we all have great shoulders to lean on. Our team of five is one that is looked upon with awe and respect in our school because we work so well together.
Teamwork is a foundational piece of what I work to instill in my students every year. I have learned that as a teacher I am so much more successful when I work with a team of successful people and I want my 5th graders to learn that as well. We work in cooperative groups every day to accomplish both group and individual goals and students can see themselves as part of a bigger, more successful group than when they “go it alone”.
When I went into teacher college, one of the first things I was taught was to beg, borrow, and steal ideas from other teachers. I have learned so much even after all these years from others. When I have a problem, I talk it over with my fellow teachers and get great ideas on what to do. A good teacher is a good learner and always ready to share and take new methods.
I am a Title I math teacher in a large elementary school, in an even larger school district. Teamwork is how I survive. I speak with my students’ classroom teachers regularly to better understand what concepts they are covering, and how I can support their needs and the needs of our students. I am also a part of a team of 6 Title I math teachers across my district. Yesterday we were able to come together for techy professional development, to discuss new initiatives, and to share ideas and support each other.
We could spend hours and hours sharing with one another and still not tire of it. They understand what I do everyday and can feel my struggles and successes with me. It is priceless.
I have a teacher-partner who writes science and social studies plans with me each week. Working as a team makes the work shorter, easier, more fun, and more creative.
At our school, the 3 other Year 5 teachers and I have a regular weekly meeting (1 hour) with a curriculum coordinator informally chairing it. We talk over any issues, assessment pieces due and anything else that we need clarified. It’s very beneficial to us all. My fellow teachers and I are also always emailing each other with great resources we’ve found. It’s been very helpful.
I would not be able to survive without teamwork! Not only am I a first time teacher, I’m a first time teacher that started in the middle of the semester! It has been quite a roller coaster ride to make the classroom my own and through the help of the PreK team leas at my school I have been given so much advice and assistance with planning and organizing.
I believe teamwork improves my life tremendously! How? Our third grade team each bring our special talents to the table. I am the teacher who is always looking for the “freebies” for us to use instead of paying out of our pockets, as we have NO funds from our school to use (and yes we are a public school). The other teachers look for projects we can use in the classroom. I also take many ideas from The Mailbox to bring to our meeting every week. We could not do it if we did not have a “teamwork” attitude.
After teaching preschool for for 7 years, we relocated to a new state and new school with a whole new set of expectations and standards. I would not have been able to keep my head above water if not for my colleagues.
Teamwork helps in so many area – each member of the team brings their strengths to the group and as a result we all have so much more. I work in RTI and rely on the help and suggestions of my team when I find what I am doing is not working with a student.
Ask lots of questions….no matter how many years (18) of teaching preschoolers, I seem to learn something new each week. Ask co-workers, parents, directors and workshop presenters any and all questions you may have. This wide-range team is a valuable resource that I could not survive without. Thanks a bunch!
Being the only librarian at my school, it is easy to feel isolated. Luckily fir me, we have a wonderful specialist team at my school this year. We all assist with each other’s programs. We all teach PE together one day a week to our large kindergarten population. This spring, we (library, PE, art, music, counselor) will all be working together to produce the school’s first musical! What an odd, but wonderful, working situation we have!
Teamwork is very important to me and my teaching. I love bouncing ideas off my co- teacher. I love throwing an idea to he and having her help making it ten times better. With common core coming teamwork is going to be ten times more important with all the changes.
I work full time as a preschool teacher. My teammate was off on Friday (the first Friday of Nov) so I had a sub in the room. This always makes for a bit of a stressful day. So my student teacher (a young man from a local community college) asked “Where’s your teammate?” I replied “She has the day off.” The student says “During the week?” I was so surprised that I laughed out loud! Of course I explained our vacation/time off policy…but the exchange highlights the importance of our teams on the others we interact with.
When I first started teaching, I wanted to do and be the best. I would discover an activity or idea and kept it to myself. I would only share when asked to. The more I taught the more excited I became about helping my students. Soon I couldn’t hold my excitement in and started sharing with my colleagues and they then shared with me. Soon we were a functioning team and our grade level was soaring. I learned alone I was good with partners we became great.
I teach 1/2 day Preschool (4th year) and 1/2 day Special Education (1st year) and love the team work that is provided by the Preschool teachers this year. It really helps me when i am constantly going all over the building in the afternoon. I feel team work is definitely what makes my job easier as a Special ed teacher.
Team work is a principle teach my young children. When we work together it is more fun and more gets done. Team work helps us to build relationships and recognize who we really are as a person.
This year I moved to a new country, new school and a new teaching department. I have always worked as part of a team. This year was different, everyone worked alone and I found it frustrating and I felt isolated. At a management meeting a few months ago I suggested we work in pairs even through there is only 1 of each class at our school. The transformation, innovation and willingness to share has been incredible. We are all learning and growing together. My next step is for us to reach out to other small independent schools in our province and mentor and team up with other teachers who are isolated and need encouragement.
Teamwork is essential to what I do for a living. I cannot teach alone. I rely on my colleagues for brainstorming, venting, crying, laughing, etc. Sometimes a simple hug from a neighbor teacher gets me through the day. We are all in this together!
Team work is essential in the classroom. It helps the teachers, children, and families be aware of what important role they play for everyone to be successful.
Teamwork works best when BOTH teachers (I’m a Preschool teacher) work together to get the job done. I have the best assistant ever…in only three years together, we “read” each other, we tag team, we flow from one part of the day to the other… she’s my Ying to my Yang.
We work with moderate to severely developmentally delayed students, as well as students with Autism. Our students also have mental health and behavioral issues. We collaborate to be sure as a team, that we are clear and consistent in our expectations/consequences, so that the students are getting the same messages no matter who they are working with. This teamwork is so important , so that everyone is aware of what triggers a student and to recognize their behavioral cues to help the student be as successful as possible in the least restrictive environment.
Teamwork makes life as a teacher much less stressful. The phrase 2 heads are better than one fits perfectly because teachers who make lesson plans and curriculum guides together offer more ideas. This way the students are better served. We serve a diverse population; therefore a diverse population of teachers is needed to make the plans and activities that are taught to these children. My colleagues and I work together to create sustainable lessons and classroom management techniques.
I also rely upon the members of my fifth grade team for what seems like EVERYTHING! I also have the benefit of a former third grade team upon whom I can also rely – they are my best resource with respect to a transfer of skills and thinking about a continuum of learning. We have taken to calling ourselves simply a “team” rather than any grade level!!
Can’t imagine doing what I do without their support!
We work really hard to teach similar ideas and standards. It can be tough sometimes but we stick together and that is important as a grade level!!
I am team leader of our kindergarten team, I could not make it without the help and support of the other teachers. We had to divide another for a six weeks while waiting on a new teacher to come in. Teamwork makes our job so much easier.