Effective Collaboration and Coteaching Compiled by Kari Mau

Effective Collaboration and Co-teaching Compiled by Kari Mau

Collaboration: Two Heads Are Better Than One! � Collaboration must be voluntary: › If people are forced to collaborate, it is not collaboration. � Collaboration requires parity: › Each team member is viewed as an equal with equal power. � Collaboration must be based on mutual goals: › This will direct the dialog and ensure everyone has the same end result in mind. � Collaboration depends on shared responsibility: › Team members need to equally share resources and accountability for outcomes.

Emergent Characteristics of Collaboration: � People who collaborate value the interpersonal style: › Successes lead to a desire to collaborate in the future. � People who collaborate trust one another: › After time and respect are established trust grows. � People who collaborate have a sense of community: › Positively working together builds community!

Collaboration in the School: � Response to Intervention Teams � Individualized Education Plan Teams � Paraprofessionals � Co-teachers � Grade Level Teams � Vertical Teams

Challenges of Collaboration � School Structure: › Schools have been viewed over time as professionals who work alone. � Professional Socialization: › Teachers are trained to be independent. � Power: › › › › � Perceived power Expert power Referent power Legitimate power Reward power Coercive power Informal power Pragmatic Issues: › Time › Space › Materials

Co-Teaching Approaches � One Teaching, One Observing � Station Teaching � Parallel Teaching � Alternative Teaching � Teaming � One Teaching, One Assisting

Co-Teaching Relationship Building takes TIME! � � Communicate! Plan everything: › › › � � � Standards Assessment Accommodations/Modifications Instructional Strategies Logistics Have an open mind Be flexible Trust & respect one another