Habits of Highly Effective Teachers

Teacher Collaboration

The U.S. Department of Education Listserv discussion in July considered Teacher Collaboration. Among many contributions was this one from Mary Allen. It is printed with her permission.

Collaborating with my colleagues, as well as celebrating our different teaching styles, is a passion of mine. Over the years our grade level meeting agendas were "driven" by our principal who always had quite a list of money/testing/mundane issues to which to respond. Finally last year, out of a desperate need to "be fed" and reenergized, we took it upon ourselves to each do one mini-in-service a year for the rest of the third grade teachers. As a result we all received training in literacy centers, math centers, Marilyn Burn's multiplication strategies, biotic communities of our local area, teaching literacy through the arts and sciences, Writer's Workshop, and "how to teach all the grammar rules!" We actually take great pride in each of us doing things very differently, AND, we learn so much from each other.

However, the benefits went way beyond what we could have possibly imagined. Colleagues from other grade levels asked if they could join us. Less experienced teachers had an opportunity to practice their presentation skills in a "safe" environment. We found ourselves articulating across grade levels. Our administrators joined us for some sessions. Our lunch times were spent enthusiastically continuing our conversations from our "staff development" sessions. Many fears, barriers, and personality differences were diffused. The whole things was so "organic," and it worked!

by Mary Allan, 2001 California Teacher of the Year