If you’re stepping into a team-teaching situation, congratulations! Having a teaching partner can make your classroom feel more energized, supportive, and creative. It also gives you the gift of someone who understands the daily challenges and victories of teaching right alongside you. When done well, team teaching benefits not only students but also the teachers who share the journey.
Here are some friendly, field-tested tips for making your teaching partnership a success:
Celebrate Strengths and Share Growth
Every teacher brings their own skills, talents, and personality to the classroom. Instead of trying to mirror each other, embrace your differences. Play to your strengths and let your teammate do the same. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to learn from one another—and that’s where the real growth happens.
“Your team is most effective when each person can shine.”
Keep Communication Flowing
A successful partnership depends on proactive, honest communication. Find small pockets of time—before school, during planning, or even a quick hallway chat—to check in about what’s happening now, what’s coming up next, and what’s on the horizon. Inviting input in decision-making ensures both voices are heard and valued.
Set Shared Goals
Defining goals together gives your partnership direction and purpose. Whether it’s boosting student independence, improving rehearsal efficiency, or strengthening ensemble sound, align your goals so you’re working toward the same outcomes.
Show Support in Public
Students and colleagues notice how teachers interact. When you give credit to your teaching partner in front of others, you model respect, teamwork, and trust. Celebrate each other’s successes, and demonstrate that your relationship is built on mutual encouragement.
Share Roles—and Stay Flexible
Assigning roles helps things run smoothly, but flexibility is just as important. Sometimes plans change, or unexpected challenges arise. Be willing to step in for each other, swap responsibilities, and adapt as needed.
Be Consistent for Students
Students thrive when expectations are clear and consistent. From classroom management to rehearsal fundamentals, use the same language and approaches so students aren’t left guessing. (One of my favorite strategies was creating a shared “band book” of terminology and routines so our teaching team stayed aligned across every class!)
Final Thought
Team teaching works best when it’s grounded in trust, open communication, and a shared sense of purpose. By supporting each other and staying consistent for your students, you’ll build a partnership that makes teaching more joyful, sustainable, and effective.
👉 Have you tried team teaching? What strategies helped you and your colleague succeed? Share your experiences—I’d love to hear them!
Just in Time Music Education Mentoring Network 
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