The Heartfelt Way

Co-teacher alignment changes outcomes for kids. Rhonda and her guests speak about what a strong teaching team looks like and how to cultivate it. When a strong teaching team is in action, you can feel it.  It’s in the care with which the kids put away toys, how things are labeled and in the teachers’ attunement to the other’s needs. Rhonda sits down with Brittany Reaume and Geanene Chalut in this episode to talk about the importance of co-teacher alignment, how it happens and the impact it has on children. Brittany and Miss G. (Geanene) worked as co-teachers at Heartfelt Impressions, and they emphasize that being in lockstep is essential. [00:00:00] Miss G.: “The big word is consistency. [Kids] need to have the same two teachers in that room that know them and that they’re not hearing [different] things from the other teacher.” Rhonda adds that consistency is vital for the teachers, too. Co-teachers learn to anticipate and read each other and step up when the other is feeling stretched. That relationship happens through intentionality. Brittany recalls meeting Miss G. for dinner early on to talk about their needs and ideas for the classroom.  [00:00:00] Brittany: “It was really fun and very comforting knowing that we could bounce ideas off each other and not be like, ‘No, that’s a dumb idea. Don’t do that.’” If you’re a teacher who feels isolated or is struggling to be in lockstep with your teammate, this episode is for you.