Teacher Leader KnowledgeBase

This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

The Teacher Leader KnowledgeBase aims to raise awareness of the teacher leader role at the district level and to support teachers aspiring to the teacher leader role through master's degree-level university programs.

Task 3: Support Collaborative Teams and Collegial Interactions

Guideline: Working through or with collaborative teams requires an understanding of group dynamics, along with facilitation and team building skills. Teachers in leadership roles need an understanding of these concepts to support their colleagues and help them enhance their collaboration skills. This task provides resources to assist teacher leaders in supporting their colleagues to do so.

Resources

Guidelines

Guidelines for Productive Meetings

This guide from the Team Handbook might assist team members with having productive meetings.

Practical Tips

Guide for Collaborative Team Practices

This link is to a Maryland State Department of Education guide for collaborative team practices. Though intended for Maryland educators, teachers in leadership roles may find the guide useful in supporting collaborative teams.

References

Creating Team Norms

This article at Stickyminds.com discusses the importance of creating team member behavioral norms.

How to Create Team Norms

This article at About.com discusses the importance of establishing team norms.

Improving Relationships Within the Schoolhouse

This link is to an article in the March 2006 issue of ASCD's Educational Leadership publication. Author Roland Barth explores relationships among adults within a school. Teachers in leadership roles may find this article helpful when supporting collegial interactions.

The Benefits of Teacher Collaboration

This article authored by Carla Thomas McClure, a staff writer at Edvantia, reviews the research associated with teacher collaboration. The article was published in the September 2008 issue of the District Administration magazine. The article may be useful to teachers in leadership roles supporting collaborative teams.

Turf Issues

Individual group members often have divergent viewpoints. Turf issues can arise between group members and groups within a school, district, or community. This document offers a basic guide for addressing turf issues when they arise.