Conversations

=8.1 Opener:= media type="custom" key="8087444" width="80" height="80"

=8.3 Teacher Conversations:= I believe when we had the coteaching model, collaboration was much more encouraged and supported. Currently, we have team meeting time once a week and limited common planning time. Unfortunately, team meeting time is not consistently used to collaborate, but to catch up and keep each other informed. I believe everyone would like more collaboration, but it does not happen as much as it should. I think it depends on the teacher teams whether collaboration is strong or not. I know that within the special education dept and teachers in my school, we collaborate often because we have similar views and background knowledge. Collaborating with one another is easy, but when working with teachers with different views and backgrounds, it becomes more difficult. I don't seek collaboration as often as I should, although I try to share my input. I do collaborate often with my fellow special education teachers because we are working on similar skills and using similar curriculums. That is very successful. Our students are def benefiting from that collaboration. I think collaboration is imperative. In order to teach the skills needed today, teachers need to be on a similar page. Teaching and implementing technology in only one class is not consistent enough for students to learn and master the skills needed. Follow through and repeated instruction in multiple subject areas is what students need in order to new master skills.
 * How does your school/district currently support and or encourage collaboration between teachers?
 * How much do you seek to collaborate with teachers and how do you accomplish this?
 * To what extent do you think collaboration is of growing importance for teachers seeking to implement a 21st century classroom?