With 115 teachers and only 85 classrooms at Galileo, it’s inevitable that teachers have to share classrooms with one another. Specifically in the history department, 10 out of the 14 teachers share a classroom with one another, ranking higher than any other department in the school. While no teacher prefers having to share a classroom or move from classroom to classroom, they still make the best of the situation.
United States History teacher, Ms. Tang spends her day in 2 different rooms. She spends 1st period in Room 316 teaching APUSH and then spends 4th, 5th, and 6th period in Room 415 teaching United States History.
Knowing what it’s like to have her own room at Galileo prior to her taking maternity leave last year, Ms. Tang has a unique perspective on sharing a classroom. She said, “I think a classroom reflects the way a teacher teaches and when I teach in another classroom, it feels like I’m teaching in someone else’s shoes. There’s a level of comfort with having your own classroom and setting it up to your own liking. However, us teachers do what we have to do with what we’re given and thankfully everyone is always very professional. By having open communication, clear coordination, and understanding for one another, transitioning between classrooms runs smoothly.”
On the other side of things, World History & AVID teacher, Mr. Xavier has shared a classroom every year he’s been a teacher. This year, he teaches 1st and 2nd period World History and 3rd period AVID 4 in Room 415. However, after lunch, he teaches 5th period AVID 4 and 6th period World History in Room 461.
When asked how he handles moving classrooms, he said, ”I sometimes like sharing a classroom with a teacher as I get to talk to them and we’re able to share advice with one another. The downside is that I lose quite a bit of time whilst transitioning as I have to wait for the other teacher occupying the space to wrap up their lesson before I’m able to start my own. However, I like having a bit of space in my classrooms for myself in order to store my materials and I also have a cart to easily transport materials from class to class.
Brand new to Galileo, Ethnic Studies teacher Mr. Aguilar has eased into sharing a classroom rather easily . He teaches 1st and 2nd period in Room 459 and has to move to Room 317 in order to teach 3rd, 4th, and 5th period.
Mr. Aguilar says, “I like that I have a roommate to talk to and collaborate with because we get to support each other. However, if I move to a different classroom and a student needs to find me, they’re not able to. In addition, we’re not responsible for each other’s students. For example, if my class or Mr. Cossey’s class leaves a mess behind, it causes us confusion as to which class period created the mess. It’s also sometimes bothersome to switch classrooms when I have to carry everything around or if my things are in one classroom but I’ve already switched to another.”
While he doesn’t have to switch classrooms, AP World History and American Democracy / Economics teacher Mr. Cossey does have to share his classroom with Mr. Aguilar, which can be both good and bad.
Mr. Cossey said, “It’s always nice to have an extra pair of eyes in the classroom to see who’s out of line and I also get to share resources. It’s also good because I always have someone to talk to. However, there’s no privacy and there’s no time to warm up for my classes to ease into it. I also have to either go to Room 206, the library, or the Teacher’s Lounge to get work done.”
