Professional Competency #10
Key Questions
1. What goals do I wish to achieve in my work with colleagues?
2. What principles do I follow in trying to achieve those goals?
Background Orientation:
Given the reality that teachers are now part of teams of professionals and para-professionals working together for the benefit of students, it means that teachers must learn to work effectively not only with students on a daily basis, but also with adult colleagues—cycle teachers, integration aides, child care workers, resource teachers, community resources, etc.. This ability involves understanding the roles of other colleagues and how best all can contribute for the greatest success of the most children. It also means developing team skills of cooperation, negotiation, differented roles, consensus building, and so on—just as students must learn to do in their cooperative classroom work.
Reading:
EDEE 355, number 16 (Arends, “School Leadership and Collaboration”).
Task:
Articulate your own learnings and principles of working collaboratively with colleagues that you have developed through your experience over the term. This brief statement may deal with understanding various roles and how best to use them for children’s benefit. However, it should focus a good deal on the kind of skills and abilities that you have learned are important and effective in working as a team member and which you hope to live by in your future teaching. This statement should become part of your teaching portfolio and supplement it with any possible artifacts.
Means:
- You may wish to interview your CT or other teachers about this key point as a way of gathering further insight which you can consider for yourself.
- Above all, pay attention and reflect on your experiences over the term in working in team settings, collaborative decision making, joint efforts, and so on. Reflect on how others work, but especially on your own role, interactions, and so on.
Due Date:
Week 16