Question: For those teaching middle school does your school have a "team" system? 

Answer: Yes. In addition, as a high school principal, I introduced a team concept at the high school level. I did this in the 80's and still believe it is the answer to teacher isolation. ALL research shows unequivocally that until and unless teacher isolation is dealt with, NO CHANGES IN THE SYSTEM OF DELIVERING INSTRUCTION WILL WORK. \n\nIf teams are formed and allowed to make decisions about the educational delivery to students, they will have a strong commitment to seeing to it it works. In addition, the teachers can be held more accountable. \n\nThe problem with high schools and the implementation of teaming is that the SCHEDULE CANNOT rule. Students' needs must come first, and the tyranny of the schedule needs to be dealt with.\n\nWe did just that, and for three years teaming at the high school for grades 9 and 10 worked. Then a new principal came in and had different priorities. The result was teachers on each team were NOT given a common planning period which ultimately rendered the team inefficient because the teachers could not work together to plan, to work with parents, and to organize the delivery of instruction.  Once again they were isolated and alone.
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