Job Sharing: Two Heads Better Than One

The concept of teacher job sharing is one of the best ideas that has developed in the school system (Sandy Banks’ column, “End of Job Sharing Risks Pushing Away Good Teachers,” July 10). This innovative program should be encouraged, not discarded.

Job sharing allows for good teachers who may not be able to work full time to teach.

When two teachers are responsible for the same class, they are more organized, they share information and prepare better lessons for children.

Job sharing reduces teacher burnout and complacency, which also helps kids. Remember that saying, “Two heads are better than one”?

MARLENE BRONSON

Santa Monica

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I have worked as a volunteer aide at Nestle Avenue Elementary School for the past 10 years, eight of which were spent in the job-shared classroom with Joni Sears and another teacher and the last four years with Sears and Deanna McGray.

I have seen parents who may have been a little leery at the beginning of the year marvel at how wonderfully well their children fared. Sears and McGray have excellent communication at all times by leaving extensive notes to each other in the classroom and communicating with each other after school and by dividing the curriculum to match each one’s area of expertise.

Their room has always been a pleasure to be in, surrounded by the students’ and teachers’ efforts--children’s projects literally hanging from the rafters.

With both teachers working part of the week, the children quickly learned how to get along with two different and talented personalities and never had a problem adjusting. It saddens me to hear that these two dedicated teachers are no longer able to continue in the job-shared classroom that has worked so well and benefited so many students.

It can be done and it has been done by two very dedicated and knowledgeable teachers. As the old cliche goes: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

FLORENCE BERKE

Encino