Creating Effective Collaboration…
When educators collaborate, solutions are formed. Think of that for a second.
When your teachers communicate with each other, do you feel as though it is effective?
Let’s just jump right into it: how do you define collaboration at your school? Is it time well spent? Do you have it scheduled for regular occurrence? Is it directed?
If you know that this time spent accordingly, which we will discuss as to how, fosters solutions, are you utilizing this “Educational Leader Tool”? Collaboration is foundational in successful education at schools.
The following, will ensure that this is so.
First, the collaboration time must be scheduled into the regular day. It must be a minimum of twice a week. These times should be with teacher teams if possible, or like departments, or grade level teams. If possible is the key, and takes massive creativity, as well as trial and error in creating the matrix for a master schedule. Think of it as an exemplar of Brene’ Brown’s description of the difficult conversation or situation with others in the workplace that she calls a ‘Rumble’ when making that master grid.
Second, organize it. Now that they are meeting, set these 2 goals: 1. What objective can they create as a team, that solves an issue they are all faced with? 2. What objective can they work towards that is a school wide objective, where they create Key Results on obtaining? I’m a big OKR nerd. You rarely see it in education, and I don’t get it.
Third, create the schedule of check in meetings with the team during collaboration times, so revisions, assistance, and progress checks can be conducted.
You, are essentially a member of that team.
Fourth, follow through. If you stop making the meetings, it makes it seem not important. Make the revisions with the teams when necessary, and help them accomplish school wide objectives. Everyone wins. It’s essentially allowing the experts to solve educational problems, and the leader facilitates the process.
With this model you will have everyone benefit from the process. And with this model you will have students benefit as the product.
For more like this, and if I can help you in any way with creating effective collaboration in your site, email me at thetravelingprincipal@gmail.com.
I am a part of Daniel Bauer’s 30 day writing challenge, who is the lead mentor at the Better Leader Better Schools network. Find out more at www.betterleadersbetterschools.com.
