Collaboration

Chapter 4
 Understanding Collaboration
Definition: A style for direct interaction between two co-equal parties, voluntarily
engaged in shared decision making as they work toward a common goal. (Friend
Cook, 2017, p.5)

Focus is on collaborative services to educate ALL students, those with disabilities,

ELL students, gifted and talented and general education students.

Co-teaching- General Education/Special Education teachers work together to

teach strategies each student needs.

Collaboration should also be with family members and all staff who is working
with the student.
Collaboration
Collaboration is becoming more prevalent in the academic world. The key is to
find each others strengths and hone in on them.

E.g. Within a 4th grade classroom, I collaborated with a teacher who needed help
with behavior management. The subject I came in to help with was Mathematics.
The reason I chose this area is because I knew it was my strength, and I could
easily modify and accommodate all struggling learners, whether they were SPED
or just low performing students. Communication was key, we had to decide on
what manner we wanted to present material in.
Collaboration cont.
The style of co-teaching that worked for us, was introducing the standard (we
rotated) for about 20 minutes, we then had the students broken up after looking at
the pre-test scores. We ran four centers;

Center1: Gen Ed teacher taught the higher performing students

Center 2: SPED (myself) took the low performing students

Center 3: Technology

Center 4: Independent Activity

Collab..
We broke the high and low up again so they were split and we were teaching the
lesson twice during the hour for 30 minutes. The other two centers were 15
minutes each. The beauty of the Independent center is we at times used the
Gifted/Talented students to re-teach the struggling learners. Our test scores were
always raised! MAP scores (nationally normed testing) increased for EVERY
student.

This allowed us to see that how we addressed Collaboration was effective.

Student Collaboration
Promoting real collaboration is hard to do well—and it doesn’t just happen on
its own. If we want real collaboration, we need to intentionally design it as
part of our learning activity. These are five strategies to encourage effective
collaboration.

1. Create learning activities that are complex: Students need a reason to

collaborate. If the assignment is too simple, they can more easily do it
alone. The real reason to collaborate is because the task is complex—it is
too difficult and has too many pieces to complete alone.
Student Collaboration
2.PREPARE STUDENTS TO BE PART OF A TEAM:

I will attach and send something for you to use in your classroom! This
will be great when you have your own classroom and you are being
evaluated! Please let me know if you need me to get a copy for you/if you
are unable to print! I want you to have resources you will USE! I will send
materials via email, that you can use!

The great things about these cards is everyone has a job and you are
showing that they are able to collaborate, which is a huge push in the
districts right now!
Understanding Team Concepts (Students)
*Two or more interdependent individuals working to achieve a mutual goal n

*Each person identifies as a team member

*Members abide by formal and informal rules

*Success is directly related to the work of all team members

*Members value their differences

Factors of Team Effectiveness
1. Quality of outcomes produced by team

2. Clarity of team goals

3. Member’s needs are met

4. Members are accountable (this is why giving them specific jobs is crucial)

5. Members monitor their own behavior: I set up a social contract at the

beginning- we as a class will make the rules everyone will abide by, when they
have a say- they generally will follow. My students check each other on
behavior with a foul sign! This way I can help with more content!
Collaboration with Parents
*Understand families’ perspectives ( I sent home a get to know my student
sheet)

*Understand that collaboration is not always the goal (encourage participation)

* Address cultural differences

* Avoid treating all members of a cultural group as though they are alike

*Develop cultural sensitivity

*Ask parents for their unique perspectives

*Listen to their points of view ( let them know you care!)

Collaborating with Paraeducators
Last year, I had 13 paraeducators that I had the pleasure of working with. I
got to know them as individuals, I asked where they saw their strengths.
Knowing their strengths is the best way to utilize them. When people are
uncomfortable in a subject manner it will not be productive! Also, make sure
you give them clear and concise directions! I created a simple lesson plan for
my paras, remember they do not have teacher training!

Open communication with these individuals is needed! If there is a problem

solve it quick! Be proactive and positive!

IT IS YOUR CLASSROOM, USE THEM EFFECTIVELY!

Collaboration on Student Intervention Teams
Student Intervention teams are created in order to look at our struggling or high
achieving students. The team will consist of a Psychologist, Social
Worker/Counselor, Administration, General Education Teachers, Strategists,
Instructional Coaches and SPED teachers. Data is crucial, you need to bring all
academic/social emotional data you have on a student. The team will analyze-
they will look at the interventions/accommodations you have tried. They generally
will bring new ideas they will want you to try for 4-6 weeks before looking at them
for an alternative learning environment. DATA is a MUST! This is when comparison
to peers is extremely important! Test scores, behavior sheets and input will be
heavily looked at! BE PREPARED!!!!
Collaboration on IEP’s
It is to your benefit to work side by side with the SPED teacher in creating
an IEP (individualized education plan). You will be held accountable for making
sure everything within the IEP is being followed. It is a legal document, so
knowing it inside and out is crucial.

Working together will also create the best learning plan for the student!
Student success is why we all want to teach!
Challenges of Collaboration
1. Personality Conflicts, this is when you being a professional need to
realize you are working for student growth, and set aside
emotions/feelings.
2. TIME- this is probably the biggest challenge! As teachers, we are asked
to do a million things within the day. BE FLEXIBLE and use TIME
WISELY! Remember if you are working through email- do not talk about
specific students, your emails can be requested by parents, if you are
talking about a student, remember professionalism always.
3. Opinions- May differ from yours, but meet in the middle. Always work
with the mindset, is this best practice?
Essential Elements In Collaboration
Essential Elements of Collaboration

1. Personal belief system

2. Communication skills and use of strategies - Listening - Use of nonverbal

signals - Use of non-evaluative language -Use of questions that encourage
others to speak

3. Interaction process steps

4. Programs and services (like teaming, co-teaching, and consultation)

5. Supportive context (principals)