Why is Teacher Collaboration Important?

This is part 6 of a 7 part series on teacher evaluations.

Besides instruction and classroom management, collaboration is a vital part of teaching.  You need your colleagues to make decisions, build lessons, and take advice.  Along with your coworkers, you have to form a relationship with your parents.  Teaching is not an one-person profession, where you do not work with others. You have to communicate with your coworkers, parents, and the community. This includes sharing of responsibility, modeling and mentoring.  On the Ohio state teacher evaluation, collaboration and communication are standard six. During the evaluation process, which involves observations, anecdotes, and conferencing, teachers can demonstrate why teacher collaboration is important.  Standard 6 not only benefits the community, but the students will gain work ethic skills by watching your approach to building relationships with their parents and guest speakers and advocating for them in the community.  Your level of respect as a teacher will rise to the occasion after you incorporate these strategies within your classroom. 

Introduction to Building Relationships

                A majority of your lesson plan time will be making phone calls, responding to emails, and meeting with other teachers.  It takes planning and organization to present yourself as an expert and professional.  You gain respect from your students, parents, and community if you communicate clearly.  The state of Ohio created the book, Standards for Ohio Educators, to help teachers prepare for their annual evaluations.  Standard 6 states, “Teachers collaborate and communicate with students, parents, other educators, administrators and the community to support student learning” (34). Element 6.1 encompasses communicating clearly and effectively.  Writing and speaking clearly and correctly are part of this standard.  To earn a higher level, such as accomplished or distinguished, a teacher has to use those communications strategies to pose questions and engage students in discussions. Teachers must model effective communication techniques to colleagues.  Keep records of your classroom newsletter, emails, and phone logs, and these items will show proof of you communicating clearly and effectively.

Getting Parents on Your Side

                Element 6.2 includes teachers sharing responsibility with parents to support the learning and emotional health of the students.  Indicators of being proficient in element 6.2 are providing various forms of communication with parents, maintaining confidentiality, and replying to parents in a timely manner.  To increase your evaluation to accomplish, “teachers form partnerships with parents” (35), provide volunteer opportunities and activities for families and explain materials to support student learning at home. Creating a safe environment for parents to participate in students’ learning and achievement (35) will demonstrate the distinguished indicator.  One example is to invite families to family night, school coat drives, or a performance event.  I attended a professional development where a school counselor discussed how she organized family night for her middle school.  I was thoroughly impressed because I associated family night with elementary students, but she executes it for older students.  The counselor built a strong relationship with the community and demonstrated that school is more than a learning environment but also a safe place where the family is valued.

Professional Relations

                A welcoming place is where teachers can collaborate and feel respected.  Element 6.3 is all about having professional relationships where colleagues consult with each other and plan and implement instruction.  Engagement in professional dialogue, peer coaching, and effective collaboration with others within the school are indicators of having accomplished this element.  Being an advocate within a team to support school goals and student achievement will indicate that you are distinguished in element 6.3.  Keep artifacts and record your reflection, co-teaching lesson, and positions held in professional organizations.  My district has weekly meetings called Teacher Building Teams and department meetings.  I was able to use my notes and suggestions from the meetings to show evidence of this standard.  Present notes from your next meeting during your next evaluation and see if you score higher on your evaluation. 

Involving the Community

                As part of standard 6, you have to demonstrate your involvement in the community and work with stakeholders of the learning environment.  To be considered proficient, teachers “identify when and how to access appropriate services to meet…learning needs” (36) and involve community members within the classroom. Give your professional opinion on the Intervention Assistant Team or IEP meeting.  Invite guests into your class for events such as a job fair or Read Across America.  Work with local community agencies to address student learning and achievement and use medical and emotional support to assist students. Participate or join a group, organization, or church that has an outreach program for students.  Take initiative in creating your own group to discuss student issues within your community.  One example is working with a local shelter to provide students with bookbags with weekend food.  In a local suburb community, teachers packed book bags with food for the weekend for identified students.  It made such an impact that it made the local news.  Indicators of scoring distinguished are building and sustaining partnerships with local agencies and advocating for the local school system.  Record emails that show relationships built over years and provide letters asking for support of your school. 

                Overall, standard 6 involves the teacher’s role of being the communicator with the community.  These strategies provide support and advocacy for the students. Students will feel valued and engaged when you incorporate parents, guest speakers, and health providers within the class.  Teachers will build a positive rapport with parents that can lead to compliments and referrals.  Because of your diligent collaboration, you will be looked at as an expert in the field of teaching, and panels or boards may want your ideas and leadership skills.  Standard 6 is very important to the teaching profession because you are building positive relationships with students, families, colleagues, and the community.  Not only will you leave a lasting impression with the community, but with your students and their families.  They will remember how you acted, how you addressed other people, and how you provided them with services that improved their mental and physical health. 

                In the comment section below, write how and why you invited community agencies to your class.