Why Is Teamwork Important in the Classroom?
For students to achieve a comprehensive, well-rounded education, integrated teamwork on several fronts is vital. Teamwork is necessary between students, between students and teachers, and among parents and educators. The more teamwork fundamentals exhibited, the more opportunity exists for students to learn the vital skills of compromise and collaboration.
Teachers and Paraprofessionals
Many classroom environments employ the use of paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, student teachers and even parent volunteers to help with fundamental classroom exercises. This assistance frees up the time for the lead teacher to focus on skills development and classroom management. To be effective, good communication and teamwork between the adults is vital to ensure that students are getting the time, attention and levels of instruction required. Typically, each adult in the classroom is tasked with carrying out specific duties and responsibilities in a collaborative manner.
In many academic settings, teachers in different departments team up to ensure a continuity of instruction for students. A fifth grade science teacher focused on scientific measurements and calculations might collaborate with a fifth grade math teacher who teaches volume and measurements. As a team, the teachers create a crossover educational experience in which students of both educators have the opportunity to see how statistical information can be used in the different disciplines.
Teachers and Parents
Parents play a vital role in a student’s education, particularly during the formative years. When teachers and parents act as a team, it can reinforce positive behaviors and learning skills developed in the classroom and practiced at home. When students see educators and parental figures working together, they learn to value education and get academic and behavioral support both inside and outside the classroom. Parent-teacher teams that communicate well can share information about the student and help devise ways to individualize learning approaches to best meet the student’s needs.
Team or group work in a classroom teaches students the fundamental skills associated with working as a collective unit toward a common goal. This type of teamwork introduces a variety of skills that will be valuable for students later in the workforce, such as communication, compromise and collective effort. In any type of group work, students must agree about who will handle various components of a project and work in tandem using one another’s strengths to accomplish assigned tasks. This teaches time management, resource allocation and communication skills.
Lisa McQuerrey has been a business writer since 1987. In 1994, she launched a full-service marketing and communications firm. McQuerrey's work has garnered awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Associated Press. She is also the author of several nonfiction trade publications, and, in 2012, had her first young-adult novel published by Glass Page Books.