Presented by Jenny Ray, Kentucky Department of Education

“There is no doubt that high functioning [teacher] teams are the route to school improvement.” (Hackman, 2002) However, introducing teams into a school, by itself, does not transform the culture of that school.

“Experienced teacher” does not always mean “experienced team member.” In fact, even experienced teachers are usually “novices” when entering team work.

Talent wins games, teamwork wins championships. -Michael Jordan Why teacher teams?

When teachers work together in successful teams… They get group assistance with problem solving Together they examine student work They address issues of class management They learn a new curriculum They provide support for new teachers They give veteran teachers roles as mentors They have an opportunity to observe each other at work in order to improve their own practice

There is sufficient data to show that teachers who work in teams get more enjoyment and self-fulfillment from teaching as they see their own practice improve… (p. 8) But most important of all… When teachers collaborate, their students do better. (p. 8)

* The complexities of collaboration are untaught * Effective Teacher Leadership is Missing * The Need for Expertise is Ignored or Misunderstood * Pitfalls are Unrecognized or Poorly Addressed * Team Members Give Up When They Don’t Get Along * There are No Consequences for Poor Performance

* Task Focus * Leadership * Collaborative Climate * Personal Accountability * Structures and Processes

* Focus on instruction * Connect instruction to curriculum * Connect instructional talk to classroom practice by: * Using assessment data * Working collaboratively on lesson plans * Conducting classroom observations

* Examine student work using protocols * Use protocols to monitor and assure teachers focus on curriculum and instruction * Longer term professional development tools: * Instructional Rounds * Lesson Studies

* Principals and Teacher Leaders * Principal as Instructional Leader * “Nothing—and we really mean nothing—can become long-lasting in a school without the initial and continued support of the principal.” p. 27 * Team Building Tips (p. 28) * Teacher Leadership * Roles (pp )

* Establish Team Norms * Appoint Specific Roles to Team Members * Acknowledge “Sore Spots” and Take Steps to Avoid or Cure Them * Learn by Example * Don’t bite off more than you can chew

1. Improve your team’s communication skills 2. Fine-tune your team’s effectiveness 3. Move your team to its next stage of development. 4. Get your new principal on board 5. Connect your team with your school 6. Leverage your ‘what I know now.’

Review accompanying DVD and CD-ROM

* “Teachers working in teams—as professionals willing to engage in the process of looking at their practice and changing it for the better through collaboration with their fellow teachers—are going to change the face of education in America— and then the world.” p. 71