When Your Child Has Two Teachers: What Parents Should Know
If you went to school with one main classroom teacher, it can feel a little strange to learn that your child has two.
Who do you talk to? How does it work? Will it be confusing?
These are totally valid questions and the good news is, having two teachers can actually be a great thing for your child.
Let’s take a look at why it happens, what the benefits are and how you can support your child (and yourself) to make the most of it.
Why Does My Child Have Two Teachers?
It’s often part of a job share, where two teachers split the week. For example, one teaches Monday to Wednesday, the other Thursday and Friday.
This flexible setup allows experienced teachers to work part-time while still providing students with consistency and care.
In many schools, students are already used to seeing different teachers for subjects like music, sport or STEM. A job-sharing arrangement builds on that idea, but with two classroom teachers who both share the lead in supporting your child’s day-to-day learning.
The Benefits of Having Two Classroom Teachers
When job sharing is done well, it can be a real positive for kids (and families too):
Two perspectives. Each teacher brings their own strengths, style and insight into how your child learns best.
Fresh energy across the week. With the week split, both teachers can bring focus and enthusiasm to their time in the classroom.
Shared responsibility. Two teachers working closely means ideas, observations and strategies can be bounced around and refined together.
More connection points. Some children click better with one personality than another. Having two teachers means more opportunities for your child to feel understood and supported.
A real team around your child. It’s not just one person noticing things, encouraging progress or flagging concerns, it’s two professionals working together to help your child thrive.
What Are the Challenges?
One of the biggest concerns with a shared teaching arrangement is continuity.
If you’ve taken the time to speak with one teacher about something important, such as a medical condition, learning struggles or emotional wellbeing, it’s natural to wonder whether that information will be passed on.
Will the other teacher have the same context? Will it shape how they support your child day to day?
It’s reasonable to expect both teachers will be across it. In a job-share setup, communication between teachers is part of the role, and most schools have clear systems in place for this.
Other challenges might include:
Differences in teaching style, which some children find tricky to adjust to, especially early in the year.
Children showing a strong preference, which can affect how they engage with one teacher over the other.
Most of these settle with time and clear communication but it’s completely fair to ask questions as everyone finds their rhythm!
How Parents Can Help
Something new can feel a bit daunting at first, but a few simple actions can make a real difference when it comes to navigating the unique dynamics of having two teachers.
You don’t need to be across all the ins and outs of how the teaching pair splits the week, that’s their job. But there are a couple of small things that do help:
Always include both teachers when you’re sending an email or message, especially if you’re sharing something important or ongoing. It helps keep everyone in the loop and avoids crossed wires.
Try to connect with both teachers early in the year, even briefly. It can feel awkward only knowing one half of the teaching pair, especially when it comes to building trust or raising concerns.
Model confidence in the setup when talking to your child. If you treat having two teachers as normal and positive, they’re more likely to do the same, even if they show a strong preference at first.
Navigating the New
Having two teachers comes with its own unique challenges, but it can also be a deeply rewarding setup. With clear communication, shared goals and a supportive approach, it often leads to a more flexible and well-rounded learning experience for your child.
And if you're ever unsure how to support your child’s learning needs through a classroom change, that's exactly what we’re here for.
Need tailored support for your child? Book your free consultation call today with one of our experienced tutors and find out how one-on-one support can help them thrive.