self-directive and responsible for approximately 100 students from one grade-level.
Each team operates in its own learning domain: an open, multifunctional space where
students work mainly in small groups. In the learning domains, students are educated
by means of team teaching. Team teaching is a type of education in which multiple
teachers work together while providing and organizing education (Main and Bryer,
2005). Consistent with the school’s philosophy that teachers need to be present and
accessible for colleagues and others (e.g. parents), each team has its own team room. In
this team room there are facilities for preparing lessons and correcting assignments.
Each team leader has a private office close to the learning domain. Team composition
and team leadership are determined by the school’s management. The position of team
leader is a middle management function that involves additional responsibilities such
as performance interviews with team members. Each team meets twice a week. On
Tuesday afternoons, teams hold meetings in which they discuss students and the
organization of the teaching. This team meeting is chaired by the team leader. On
Thursday afternoons teams meet to develop thematic lesson material. These meetings
are chaired by the “education architect”, a member of the team who is officially trained
in developing thematic lesson material.