Overview of Collaborative Teaming

Collaborative teaming – two or more people working together toward a common goal. 

What’s our goal?  I do believe we need a common goal and I have faith, that together, we can develop it.  Actually a mission, vision, values, etc…My thoughts are that my mission is that all children learn.  My vision focuses on children being proficient readers and master mathematicians as they leave McHarg.  Proficient readers would be a student reading independently at level M.  Mastery of math would be adding and subtracting 2 digit numbers with and without regrouping.  Are those expectations too high?  What are your thoughts?

Collaborative teaming – Two or more people working together toward a common goal – sounds simple, but really not that simple.  Working can mean setting goals, identifying problems, assessing students’ needs and skills, exchanging info. , brainstorming, problem-solving, reviewing data, developing data driven instruction, reaching consensus, etc…

Working together means that positive interdependence exists among team members who agree to pool and share resources and rewards and to operate from a foundation of shared values – help each other, lend support.

According to the book Collaborative Teaming, by Martha E. Snell and Rachel Janney, Here is what the research says:

DeBoer and Fister (1995-96) defined six core characteristics of collaborative teaming:

• 1.      Collaboration is based on mutual goals determined by the entire team, which builds commitment from the beginning. 

• 2.     Collaboration requires parity among participants – equality among team members.  Each member’s contributions and role in decision making are valued!

• 3.     Collaboration depends on shared responsibility for participation and decision making, but is not identical for all members – must consider particular skills, work and team roles, etc…  Our participation does not look the same, but needs the same level of commitment!

• 4.     Collaboration requires shared responsibility for outcomes – successes and failures.

• 5.     Collaboration requires that participants share their resources – including information, skills, equipment, materials, etc… (I think this one is a little scary for some!)

• 6.     Collaboration is a voluntary relationship in which no one can be mandated to engage in – it is a learned/practiced skill. 

Transdisciplinary teams – teams that include members of multiple disciplines whose approach involves agreement that the multiple needs of students are interrelated and their coordination of effort is essential. 

Role release – Allowing yourself to be a teacher and provide your team member valuable information and insight as well as being a learner and listening to your team member to increase your own knowledge and enhance your skills.  For example… when needed, I can be the special ed. teacher to our students and my team member can take the role of classroom teacher.  It is so “freeing” to allow yourself to be both – a teacher, facilitator, leader, etc…  and a learner, listener, follower, etc..!  Be open minded to accepting new, different, creative ideas from others!

Dual focus of Teams:

To collaborate, teams need to maintain a dual focus – 1.  Keeping an eye on the goal (students) and keeping an eye on themselves (the team). 

The student(s):

• ·        Developing the schedule/program

• ·        Designing needed accommodations, adaptations, assessments, instruction

• ·        Ensuring consistency, coordination, quality among staff implementing the plan

• ·        Problem-solving issues

The team:

• ·        Understanding members roles and talents

• ·        Getting over the “I have to know everything” phenomenon

• ·        Exploring individual values in order to identify values common to the team

• ·        Communicating effectively – learning to communicate with team members

• ·        Addressing issues

• ·        Reaching consensus

• ·        Developing trust

Each chapter will now address the six components of collaborative teaming:

1.     Building team structure

2.     Learning teamwork skills

3.     Problem-solving and action planning

4.     Coordinating team action

5.     Teaching collaboratively

6.     Improving communication and handling conflict

Thanks for joining me!  Ellen