Group items tagged

"It took me more than a decade to understand the importance and true worth of collaboration. During my early years in teaching, I strived hard, but I always worked in isolation. My aim was always to excel; thus, I built my library and invested a good amount of money to fill my shelves with physics books. I was mistaken. I focused too much on content and not enough on delivery-until I learned how to collaborate."

Jayson Jones was my favorite person to call when I needed a substitute for my high-school English classes. Jayson was an aspiring teacher who was extremely popular with the students and related especially well with many of the at-risk kids. One day, I walked into the classroom at lunchtime, and he was sitting alone in the dark, listening to music. "Oh, an introvert?" I said. "I had no idea." He smiled and responded, "Absolutely. I do this every day to recharge." Unfortunately for me and thousands of future students, Jayson has left the classroom for the workshop: He's refurbishing furniture instead of teaching and says that his "introversion definitely played a part."

"At a learning session I attended recently, Michael Fullan announced that, after reviewing John Hattie's research on practices with the most significant impact in schools, collective efficacy is the new winner. Once again, we have evidence that harnessing the power of the group rather than relying solely on the individual is key to unlocking the full potential of educators and students in schools. Collective efficacy -- educators' belief that in working together, they have the capability to improve significant challenges in schools -- doesn't just happen when systems or schools offer educators the opportunity to collaborate. According to Fullan, four conditions are essential to create collective efficacy."