I love it when a teaching artist comes into my classroom. Bringing a new perspective and real-life experiences of their profession; it's like going on a field trip without the additional planning and coordination!
Though humorous, that statement is so true. Often, there is no time to plan, coordinate, or talk about the elephant in the room- how the classroom teacher and teaching artist can support each other during the residency. Therefore many programs are doomed from the start, and nothing can be done about it.
Do you really think we believe that? Heck no we don't! As a classroom teacher, you CAN start this partnership off in a positive direction. Here are some of our tried and true methods. (And teaching artists, you're not off the hook. Your post is coming soon!)
Have name tags, for at least the first couple of classes. You know how it is if you don't know the names of your students by the end of the first day of school. Remember that one time? You know what I'm talking about. DON'T do that to the teaching artist.
Walk around the classroom. Be the classroom management (unless the teaching artist gives you a signal that either means I'm going to cut off your head or please stop.) Most likely, you'll never see that signal, so don't worry.
You know that letter that you have in your sub plans? The one that introduces your class? Give that to the teaching artist on the first day for reference. If you don't have one (don't worry, I didn't, so no judgment), here is a TEMPLATE that you can use (you can modify it & it looks like the picture above!) It goes over how you call on students, how you get there attention, who/what to be aware of, and how to get info out of the teaching artist!
So those are our top three. We'd love to hear what works for you. Remember, sharing is caring!