Strategies for Teacher Collaboration
Are you comfortable with trying new ideas in your classroom and
embracing your team members teaching strategies?
Sometimes my teaching style and philosophy will differ with
my team.
As a young educator,
I struggled to maintain my autonomy. My idea of collaboration was to share and
listen (and then without realizing it) going back to the classroom and doing
things my own way. When you are new, it’s difficult to collaborate; you’re just
trying to keep your head above water!
As I mature in the profession, I have grown to realize that
my way is not the only way, and that without collaboration and integration of
EVERYONE’S skills, I am actually short-changing my students.
So how do we collaborate, tap into everyone’s strengths, and
still keep a sense of autonomy?
1. Learn to listen:
If you realize that you’re talking the most in the group, pause and take time to listen to what your colleagues are saying.
You already know what your own plans are so take the time to listen to someone
else’s idea.
2. Show examples:
If you are full of creative ideas, bring samples of your lessons with you. Don’t leave your team
guessing as to the specifics of your plan.
3. Embrace your strengths:
Find your strengths and play to them. If your skills include working with
technology, then incorporate technology into the lessons you share. If you are creative with worksheets and
written activities, then embrace that angle too!
4. Acknowledge your weaknesses:
Know where you need help and be willing to ask. No one has mastered every aspect of teaching! We are human and we can depend on each other
and lean on each other to help our students be successful.
5. Tackle one project at a time:
If you are new to collaboration then start small. You do not have to plan the whole year
together on the first day. Start with
one project that your grade level or department agrees to do together; and
stick to the plan! You may feel outside
of your comfort zone the first time, but you may soon look forward to
collaboration.
6. Even though you may try to resist it at all
costs, team up with the person that is LEAST like you:
Find the strength in your differences. Go outside your comfort zone and see what
benefits may come from teaching a new way. Trust me, you’ll be amazed at how
much you’ll accomplish when you step a little out of your comfort zone.
7. Compare data and be data driven:
If your colleague’s class is having an easier time
understanding a difficult standard, ask them how they taught that
standard. Then try to embrace the new
way and go forward.
8. Put your pride aside:
Sometimes it’s tough to admit you need help or to realize
that your way may not be the most productive or accurate. We are driven, independent thinkers who love
to see our positive impact on students.
In order for true collaboration we must be willing to put some of our
ideas aside and pull together for the success of our students.
The expectation for collaboration in education will never
disappear. Gone are the days of closing your
door and doing things your way without anyone questioning your methods. Thank
goodness for that!! We can also say gone
are the days of struggling to come up with new ideas or a creative ways of
teaching a difficult concept. EMBRACE
collaboration and watch your students succeed in ways you never thought
possible!
“No matter how many years we have been teaching, we should
feel a little bit like a rookie EVERY year by trying something new and not
being afraid to fail.” – Heidi Pauer
Great
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