This course provides information and describes skills needed for teaming to make a difference at the school site. Effective school teams go through an evolution as they move toward collaboration and productivity. Facilitating higher functioning and higher efficiency means breaking down barriers such as isolation among teachers, and increasing commitment to the school’s mission and vision.
Effective school teams make a difference for students and teachers in a variety of ways, but before colleagues can function effectively as a team, everyone involved must learn how to be a member of a team. When groups of educators work together, evidence shows that students and teachers flourish academically and socially. Team building is an essential skill that allows educators to capitalize on getting results that produce optimal student success. Teaming combines the expertise of many minds, skills and perspectives. The synergy that results from multiple minds at work is typically more effective than the outcome any one person could achieve.
Many educators work in teams as part of a professional learning community (PLC). Professional learning communities provide an extended learning opportunity to foster collaborative learning among colleagues and are often used in schools to organize teachers into working groups. Due to their specialized focus and nature, professional learning communities are also explored in more detail in the ASAP courses Creating a Learning Community and Mission, Vision, and Core Values.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Recognize the importance of systemic change and whole-school implementation of professional development learning communities.
- Provide support for teams through shared purpose, common planning time, shared decision making, ongoing dialogue and reflective practice.
- Lead staff in establishing and understanding team purpose and ensuring that everyone understands and is committed to that purpose.
- Build cohesiveness and lead staff in collaborating to remove barriers and resolve conflict.
This ASAP® course is aligned with PSEL Standard 7: Professional Community for Teachers and Staff which states that:
Effective educational leaders foster a professional community of teachers and other professional staff to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.”
(NPBEA, 2015)
Select a lesson from the table of contents below to begin your learning. Lessons do not need to be completed in sequence. The pre-test and post-test are optional. If you would like to receive a certificate of completion, you must mark each lesson as complete.