I recently started a new job. I work the afternoons and someone else works the morning. My coworker is a neat freak. That's not to say I am a slob. Yesterday, I neatly folded some large papers I needed for a lesson today and placed them on the counter. When I went in last night, she had moved them. They were by no means in her way.

I feel like this is someone else's room and I'm just visiting. There is no bulletin board space for me to use, no where to put any of my personal stuff (art supplies, teaching binders,etc). I'm in the room from 1:00-3:30 everyday.

What am I going to do? I avoid conflict like the plague.

By Breann on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 12:22 pm:

Yikes. Sticky situation.

Are you on the same level as her? You are a teacher, right? Is it supposed to be your room too, or are you just using it because there is no where else for your classroom?

If she is the morning teacher, and you are the afternoon teacher, then I would tell her to scoot over! Are there 2 bulletin boards? Maybe you could do one and she could do the other.

Do you each have your own desk?

That must be hard having to share a room.

By Paulas on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 12:39 pm:

Yes, we are both teachers. She does the morning and I do the afternoon. Our classes are different. She does LA, Math and Science and I do Social Studies, Music, Art, PE and Health.

No, we share a desk. She cleared out a small drawer in it for me.

There are 2 large and 3 small bulletin boards.

By Debbie on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 03:22 pm:

Paula, I am assuming she was in the classroom first and then had to make room for you? Why don't you approach her and tell her you need some room on the bulletin board and to store some things. Tell her you don't want to move any of her things, so where would she suggest you put your stuff and could she make room for you. I think this is a nice way of doing it. It is now your classroom too. It sounds like she isn't very giving, so you are going to have to ask for what you want. Just keep it fair(which I know you will) and ask in a nice way.

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 05:22 pm:

I agree with Debbie, though I don't know if I would have enough ambition to fight for my right to fair space.

If she is unwilling to budge, invest in an organizer-type briefcase that you can carry everything you can't store there. Sort if like a portable desk. You can have all your stuff with you at all times and organized just the way you like without the worry of her moving it.

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 06:09 pm:

I think Debbie has the best approach - which is pretty much what I was going to suggest.

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 06:11 pm:

I would start with something like - I know it is a pain to have to share space with someone else when you've had all this space to yourself and gotten it organized the way you like it - but, we do have to share, and I'd like to do it in a way that minimizes the inconvenience to you. I need bulletin board space and space for my XXXXXXXX. What do you suggest?

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 06:21 pm:

Ditto Debbie!

By Paulas on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 12:43 pm:

Thanks for the suggestions. Yesterday was a bit better. I asked for one bulletin board for my Social Studies. I really don't need one for the other subjects. She said to give her a week and she would have it down. I told her not to worry about it.

I think it will just take both of us a while to get adjusted to sharing a room. I haven't had to do it for many years.

On another note...it was sure nice to be home, have dinner ready when DH got home and make it to DS's hockey practice on time for a change. This is the first time this year that has happened. Without the hour commute and going part-time instead of full time, things have gotten much easier around the house.

By Debbie on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 01:07 pm:

Glad things are going easier for you, Paula. It does sound like a big adjustment for you and the teacher you are sharing a room with.

By Paulas on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 - 08:46 pm:

Guess I spoke too soon

I still don't feel as though my partner and I are meshing. I have no idea what she does in the morning. If she sends notes home, they
include her name only. My own children go to the same school so they usually hang out with me afterschool. Today she tells me that she wants two afternoons a week where she can plan without me (or my kids) in the room. The other day she was on prep in the afternoon and came in and did work around the class while I was teaching (or
trying to....Music) and I didn't say a thing.

I just want us to work together as a team but I feel as
though she would much rather me not be there at all.

Suggestions????

By Mrsheidi on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 - 09:55 pm:

I have to say, sharing a classroom is very difficult. I've had people use my room during planning and it's VERY hard. I can see why she wants alone time after school in the room and I can see your side of it too.
I'm confused though...what grade is this and what do you teach/what does she teach? What is the schedule like and do you have to share notes home? Can you send notes home too? And, is there a place where you/her can do your planning outside of the classroom and take turns doing so?
If things don't work out, you might have to approach your supervisor/asst principal who hired you. Sometimes they find ways to get you your own room.

By Paulas on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 - 10:04 pm:

She teaches LA, Math and Science in the am and I teach Health, PE, Music and Social Studies in the pm.

I guess I'm used to getting notes from my son's teachers that include both names. I think it is important for the parents to see us both as their child's teacher, not one or the other.

She has been in this room for years and this year she was alone in the room until last week. She has another class that she teaches in the pm but doesn't do any of her planning there. She sees this as HER room and is relucant to change.

This is third grade. I can do most of my work at home since I don't teach most mornings (I sub on occasion) but I feel it is important for me to stay at the school at least 30 minutes after the last bell so parents can get in contact with me if needed. Where am I supposed to go on those days that I am not allowed in the room?

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 - 12:22 am:

Well, I don't think it is up to her to "allow" you to be in what is also your classroom.

If it were me, I'd say something like - you know, we have to coordinate and work together, since we are teaching the same children. And while I understand your need to do prep a couple of afternoons a week, I need to be available to the students and parents for a time after class ends. Why don't we go to talk to the principal and see what can be worked out in terms of space and schedules, so that we can better coordinate how we are teaching this third grade class.

By Debbie on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 - 10:20 am:

Paula, I know you don't like confrontation, but you are going to have to stick up for yourself. It sounds like this woman will walk all over you if you allow it. It is just plain rude to be in the classroom doing prep work when you are trying to teach. You may want to approach her with "I know this is difficult, since you have been using the classroom by yourself, but we need to sit down and work something out that will work for both of us. I really think you two need to sit down and make up a plan and if she doesn't want to work with you, you are going to have to talk with the principal.