Good experiences of job sharing

[MsInterpret]

Hi everyone. I'm about return to work (primary) after mat leave and have managed to negotiate returning PT. I'll be jobsharing a class teacher role so I teach 3 days, job share partner teaches 2.

Just looking for anyone's advice and experience of similar. I've been thinking about how to possibly split the maths and English lessons by topics and obviously we'll divide the foundation subjects so we teach to our strengths.

I'm concerned about how to make sure we communicate as well as possible and also make things as consistent as possible for the children (while still having our own teaching styles/personalities!) We'll have one day where we are both in school together but v little time after school to actually meet (staff meeting day).

Any tips?

My job-share partner and I email a lot! It works v v well, but we do have v similar views and approaches. Presenting a united front to the parents and children is key to a job-share working. Refer to your job-share partner on the days when they are not there eg. 'X would be very impressed with that piece of work etc' You need an agreed system for classroom routines, eg groupings, reading, pencil sharpening, time on the computer, monitors, displays etc etc etc. Schedule a meeting soon and discuss in as much detail as you can. The more you plan and communicate now the easier it will be, not only for you both, but for the children.

Thanks. Yes, I agree v v important to present (ie have!) a united front. Nice thought of referring to Mrs x being impressed with work etc.

I suppose over planning for all eventualities better than under planning!

Dd1's teachers job share and it works very well. Not sure how they do it though!

I found it REALLY helps to have as much stuff that you alone are responsible for, so the jobshare partner doesn't need the books that you want to take home and mark, or to have seen the work they've done on Wednesday before starting the lesson on Tuesday, etc.
Agree with driftwood about the 'routines' or 'rules'... but if you come up against something you'd not thought to agree on, don't let them see you "don't know", or feel that you need to consult your partner,just say what you want them to do, otherwise they'll use this all the time... "Mrs X says we can.... etc"
Agree with each other about how you like to keep in touch - do you mind being asked something on your non-working day? Is between 6pm and 8pm a good time, as you are in, and awake, or a bad time as it's tea time and childrens bathtime and meal time / up until what time of night is it ok to ring ? / do you prefer e-mail or won't you check it before bed? is text good or are you on PAYG / etc - it's the little things that people don't like to "kick up a fuss about" that get to really niggle / annoy you, and often the other person doesn't even know it's annoying you.

Really great points BackforGood.

It's easy to assume we all have the same 'rules' for calls and emails etc but can really vary can't it?

V good points to about making as little crossover as poss re lessons. Although might it impede the united front/smoothness a little? How does it work in practice, esp with maths/English? Considering if partner could maybe teach all of shape/measure objectives while I cover the rest, in maths for example. And some discrete literacy. But don't want it to feel like she's just adding on obviously. I know we can straighten these things out in our meeting but advice appreciated!

We did that sort of thing in maths - I did all the 'number' and she did all the 'topics' (shape, time, weight, money,etc). I mean, obviously there is crossover in that you can't do those without knowing numbers and so forth, but it did keep the planning easier.
Of course, it does depend on what sort of planning your SMT wants to see, and how important they feel it is that something like English runs across a week, rather than it being down to you, as long as it all gets covered.

I have done job-shares where we have divided up the Literacy/Numeracy by topic & also the other method where the week rolls on and one teacher plans Lit, other plans Num. I prefer the latter method as it flows better for the children, but is lot more work initially and can only work with flexibility and good communication. If you divide up by topic I find that one person gets all the 'fun' practical stuff and the other has to do all the dull drudgy stuff, iyswim. This can cause a bit of resentment and also can make the week quite 'bitty' for the children. Are you able to access a good quality scheme for Lit & Num, because that can help. Good idea to ask SMT what expectations are re planning/approach to Lit & Num.

Thanks for pointing out the pros and cons with both options driftwood.

Lots to think about!

I was a job share last year and I loved it! Communication is the key. Have a handover book where you make a note of anything and everything your partner might need to know plus meet at school, email, text, phone etc regularly as appropriate.

It's ok if you are both very different as the children will quickly adapt to your respective teaching styles.

If you've got a similar work ethic, values etc too it'll work fine! Enjoy! And good luck!