Sure, sometimes you feel like you're in it alone—just you against the dreaded brat army. But whether you're teaching in a team or your fellow pedagogues are down the hall, developing relationships with fellow instructors is a key part in keeping sane and keeping up-to-date in the treacherous world of teaching.

Not that it's entirely an us-vs-students thing in horror-movie-crossover style . Still, we can guarantee that having good rapport with your colleagues is going to make for a world where you never feel like you're an alien and the students are the predators.

Don't believe us? In case you're shier around your peers than your piddly ones, we've got a few tips that will help you along the way:

1. Don't forget: we're in this together.

At least, let's cross our fingers that when you step into the classroom, you're entering the ring with all your colleagues at your back. (Figuratively, we mean). Sure, there'll be a few that you won't cozy up to personality-wise, or based on philosophical differences, but in general, you are among some great people.

2. Ask for help, but don't be overly needy.

Teachers love helping others (duh, that's why they're teachers), but they also don't want to get sucked into the black hole of solving your problems for you. So consider whether the help you need is legit, or something you could figure out yourself.

3. Share and share alike.

If you strike on educational gold, it's important for you to share your ideas with others. That's right, just like you teach your students.

4. Don't steal ideas without giving credit.

There's nothing like a stolen idea to rub the teacherly fur the wrong way. Especially if you stole that idea and took credit for it among other teachers and administrators. If you got a great idea from someone else, say so. If we're cracking down on plagiarism in essays, might as well do it in teaching style, too.

5. Command respect.

How? By doing your best every day. If you stay after with your students and tutor them, your fellow teachers will see it. If you create meaningful lesson plans, then test scores will reflect your efficacy. Do your job well and the respect will follow.

6. Be friendly and courteous to both students and peers.

Yes, yet another one you can use in daily life. But seriously. No one likes a grouch. Sure, everyone's got their off days. Just make sure your off days are vastly outnumbered by your on days.

7. Offer to help, but don't get pushy.

Help teachers who need it and who ask for it, but, as the flip side to #2, don't get in the way if someone could figure it out on his or her own. Let's face it: we can all be a little territorial, so offer the help when you see need, but have enough grace to take "no" for an answer.

8. Be professional at all times.

You might have a few friends you can cut loose with, but in general, make sure you behave with all the manners you learned in school (and a few extra, too, just in case). Because you can never stop being a role model.

9. But remember: teachers are human.

Who knew? Remembering to unwind, make a joke from time to time, and create genuine human connections with the folks around you can be the saving grace—both for you as a professional and for you as a person.

In case you're keeling over in shock that a lot of these tips could apply to relationships with, um, just about anyone, remember that (a) that's true, and (b) teaching is one of those professions where folks often feel "they're all in this together," and that makes for some really great relationships. Sometimes folks step on each other's toes, but treating each other with respect and dignity goes a long way.

Maybe you'll even get so tight you'll decide to co-produce Alien vs. Predator 43. Just be careful about starring your students.