Question Details
I feel like I’m second in the classroom because my co-teacher has been using the room before I joined the school. They already have displays up and have organised the room the way they like it.
Answer
This can be tough – you are new and want a good relationship with the teacher, so you don’t want to upset them by making demands – teachers can be very territorial! One thing you have as an advantage is that you are new! People will expect you to ask lots of questions! So maybe just ask the teacher about it – be very respectful and aware that it is their classroom, and ask how you can make sure that the students see you as another teacher and not someone to be less respected than them. If they are aware that you are concerned then they are likely act to make sure that the students respect you and listen to you, and will hopefully reinforce you as an equal in the students’ eyes.
Perhaps consider negotiating a physical area of the classroom that you can be responsible for in terms of display, or you could negotiate with your co-teacher when it comes to refreshing some areas of physical displays when topics change.
Try to think of this as a strength, rather than a problem. In the early days, as you are getting to grips with everything else you need to do, knowing that the displays are done and the room is organised well, so that the children can access resources with ease, removes addedd stresses that come with the job. Take this opportunity to learn from your co-teacher. Make a note of what you like about the displays and classroom organisation and what you will do differently, when you have the opportunity (and you will have that opportunity at some point!) As you progress through the year, your co-teacher will likely encourage you to take ownerships of certain areas in the classroom and you can put your stamp on the environment then. However, don’t be afraid to share ideas, if you have them, with your co-teacher – I’m sure they will happily modify things if it is going to have a positive impact! But try to praise some things that you feel are really effective too – this will help with building that all important relationship with your co-teacher.