One solution being utilized today is the “floating” or “traveling” teacher. When school districts implement this system they bring in additional teachers and give them some type of cart to push around campus to classrooms where the “home” teacher is on break or gone to lunch. This system uses existing space, which is one solution to the problem of too many students in a classroom at one time.
To become successful as a “traveling” teacher the key is organization. Since the teacher does not have a home base they have to have with them at all times the required supplies for their lesson plans. They do not have the convenience of walking over to the file cabinet to pull out their neatly alphabetized lesson plan for the day. Most create a portable file system using a milk crate type hanging file system to keep their lesson plans, student work, attendance sheets and such at hand. They organize their files by classes, having the first class file at the front of the crate for ease access. One fear that most “traveling” teachers have is that their students will always remember them as the teacher that always rooted fruitlessly for the correct paper to hand out.
Another issue they deal with regularly is the “home turf” syndrome. Most homeroom teachers are apprehensive for the traveling teacher and their students to invade their space. They worry over the safety of their materials, computers, audio-visuals, and the possible mess that may be left. It is best if the traveling teacher forms a good rapport with the homeroom teacher. Let t hem know they will do their best to leave the classroom in the same condition as they arrived.
There are many stressors that plague the migrating teacher. From getting across campus to the correct classroom on time, to keeping track of and organizing materials in a small space, to classroom turf issues.
On the bright side the floating teacher does have some advantages over the teacher with a homeroom. It allows the teacher to get to know the culture of the school and many faculty members much more quickly. They will learn how to navigate the campus quickly and find short cuts that they otherwise would not. Floaters do not have to decorate classrooms, or spend hours to display student work.
There is a certain freedom and resilience with floating that makes these teachers feel proud. Not too proud, however, to accept a classroom of their own. And when they do, it will be floater friendly.
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