What do you do if your colleagues have conflicting teaching methods?

An example I've seen as a Special Educator, and my role with supporting students in the general education classroom, is that being able to embrace diversity is the key to student success. Through collaboration with the teachers and addressing the uniqueness of each student I've always been able to come to a mutual understanding. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to establish a smooth working system, but ultimately it will occur. I've just always kept the focus on student needs and success, and not my opinion about their teaching style, an honestly it has always turned out okay. Rspect is a huge factor to bring in to this type of scenario. Also, being open to diversity, I've learned some things that I like to use and some things to never do.

Just like how our students come with different needs, our teachers also come with different methods of instructions. We may not necessarily agree with everything that they do but I believe that as long as the objective is being met, then that's all that matters. Ultimately, we do things for the benefit of the students.

When colleagues have conflicting teaching methods, it's essential to foster open communication and collaboration. Start by discussing the differences and their potential impact on students' learning outcomes. Seek common ground and compromise where possible, combining elements of each method to create a more comprehensive approach. Encourage experimentation and feedback, allowing for ongoing refinement of teaching strategies. Ultimately, prioritize student success and adaptability while respecting each colleague's expertise and perspective. Regular discussions and professional development opportunities can also help align teaching methodologies within the team

When colleagues have conflicting teaching methods, embracing the variety can be beneficial. It offers diverse perspectives and enriches student learning. Instead of seeing differences as problems, view them as opportunities for growth. Open communication is key; discuss and understand each other's methods. Collaborate to integrate various approaches into a comprehensive curriculum. Encourage experimentation and share successes to create a supportive environment. Embracing variety can create a dynamic and inclusive educational setting where students benefit from a range of instructional styles.

Conflict doesn’t equate to chaos. I am a seasoned academician with over two decades of teaching, advising, and administrative leadership experience. I’ve managed a fair share of conflicts during that time span. It’s been an interesting ride. At the onset of my academic career, I tried my best to avoid conflicts. That didn’t work. The more I dodged the more challenges found their way to me. Until the fateful day I had an epiphany. It was obvious that my uniquely held pedagogical practices would never perfectly align with peers (and vice versa). Therefore, rather than try to cram curricular conflicts down each others’ throats, why not work together to dissect, then digest our varied perspectives? The results were pure magic. TA DA!

The old saying, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood” has held its temerity over the years for a reason. For most educators, pedagogy is personal. As Parker Palmer says, “We teach who we are.” That means all of our experiences, beliefs and biases are inexplicably embedded within meticulously-made teaching modules. This is why having diversity amongst higher education faculty is critical. I am an invited lecturer on college campuses around the world and verify that the majority are overrun with monolithic mindsets. Faculty and students alike grow by hearing from diverse voices like mine. Faculty peers give me kudos for my shared expertise. Students of color share their feelings of validation by my presence. That’s the KoolAid.

When colleagues have conflicting teaching methods, it's important to align on common objectives. Focus on the shared goals for student outcomes and work collaboratively to find a balanced approach that incorporates the strengths of each method. This alignment can result in a more cohesive and successful teaching approach that benefits teachers and students equally.

When faced with conflicting teaching methods among colleagues, clear communication is vital. Start a productive conversation to understand the various strategies and their results. Examine the ways in which different approaches impact students' learning and consider combining the most effective aspects of each. Open, respectful conversations can lead to a more cohesive and effective teaching strategy. ️

Being open to change is so important as teachers as we are dealing with a number of different students with various needs. Admittedly, I've gotten stuck a few times with dealing with such students so I always ask for opinions and suggestions with the other teachers, who very often provide very out-of-the-box ideas, and it has definitely sparked a light bulb or more of my own!

Being a teacher also means to be "teachable". We must always be willing to learn. Even after being in this career for so long, I always find alternative ways to help with my students and how to improve my lessons. Definitely help to actually sit down, think, and maybe observe a class or two and how others teach so that I could probably use those methods in my classroom.

When facing conflicting teaching methods among colleagues, it's crucial to initiate open and respectful communication to understand each other's perspectives and reasons behind their approaches. Collaborate to find common ground, focusing on student needs and incorporating effective elements from each method. Refer to institutional policies or guidelines if available and seek mediation if discussions become challenging. Professional development opportunities can help expand knowledge and skills. Continuously evaluate and adapt teaching methods based on feedback and outcomes to create a cohesive and effective learning environment.