Future of Learning

A newsletter from The Hechinger Report

Javeria Salman By Javeria Salman

This week my colleague Neal Morton shares an update on team teaching, a classroom model that's expanding to more schools, as well as his mother's impressions of the approach. – Javeria Salman

Are two teachers better than one? More schools say yes

By Neal Morton

In a recent article for The Hechinger Report, Neal Morton explores the resurgence and expansion of team teaching in American schools. His piece, titled "Every Tech Tool in the Classroom Should Be Ruthlessly Evaluated," highlights a transformative approach to education that is gaining traction across the United States, particularly in the West.

Illustration by Michael Keany/AI - All Rights Reserved

The concept of team teaching involves multiple educators sharing responsibility for larger groups of students, allowing for a more collaborative and supportive teaching environment. Morton draws on his personal observations from Westwood High School in Mesa, Arizona, where he saw the dramatic shift from the traditional model his mother experienced in the early 80s to the current system where four teachers collectively manage 135 freshmen.

This approach is not new and traces its roots back to the 1960s. However, it has been revitalized by initiatives like Arizona State University's Next Education Workforce Initiative, which aims to make the teaching profession more appealing and sustainable. According to Brent Maddin, who oversees this initiative at ASU’s teachers college, the program now works with 28 districts across twelve states, impacting over 20,000 students with plans for further expansion. This growth is supported by both public and philanthropic funding, enhancing the implementation of team teaching in several more states including California, Colorado, Michigan, and North Dakota.

Morton's article underscores the significant benefits of this teaching model. Data from Mesa shows that teachers in team settings have lower attrition rates, receive higher evaluations, and are more likely to recommend teaching as a profession. Moreover, students in these environments have shown greater academic growth, particularly in reading and algebra.

The initiative has also been positively received by special educators who report higher job satisfaction and a greater sense of impact. This collaborative model reduces the feeling of isolation that many teachers experience, fostering a more supportive and interconnected professional environment.

The article also discusses broader implications of team teaching. For instance, Fargo Public Schools in North Dakota is planning to open a new middle school that fully adopts this model. This school will feature a competency-based learning system where students progress at their own pace, supported by a team of teachers.

Overall, Morton’s piece presents a compelling case for the continued adoption and evaluation of team teaching. By moving away from the "one teacher, one classroom" norm, schools can create more resilient, supportive, and effective educational environments. This approach not only benefits teachers but also significantly enhances student learning outcomes, making it a promising model for the future of education.

Original article by Neal Morton on The Hechinger Report: [Future of Learning - The Hechinger Report](https://hechingerreport.org/future-of-learning-neal-morton-on-team-...).

Original Article

https://mailchi.mp/hechingerreport.org/are-two-teachers-better-than...

------------------------------

Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com