School Collaboration Case Study

Being able to develop a culture of collaboration and high student achievement requires rigorous curriculum development at the school and district levels. Curriculum and instruction work together to enhance student learning. Curriculum revolves around what is taught in school and instruction centers around how something is taught. (Sorenson, 2011, p. 32-35) To be more specific instruction can be defined as, “the strategies, techniques, materials, media, and place where the curriculum is implemented in schools.” If instruction, or the how, of a teacher does not match up to the curriculum, or the what, then student achievement will suffer. Vertically and horizontally aligning curriculum with the instruction that is happening within the classroom and school will in the end lead to greater student achievement which will be reflected on student assessments. (Sorenson, 2011, p.

One way students could benefit is that this schooling could provide them with an increased student centered instructional strategy during a year-round school year. These could be activities that activate prior knowledge, hands on projects, in depth discussions, and multiple intelligences. These learning experiences are highly effective, but they are also time consuming. On a multi track schedule, students could also be exposed to smaller classroom sizes, which could benefit the student giving them more time to themselves, and to their assigned teacher for extra instruction.

Teacher Collaboration measures the degree to which teachers engage in constructive dialogue that furthers the educational vision of the school.

Teaching is moving from an individual to a collective activity. The level of agreement and alignment across classrooms around powerful practices are increasing. The school is aligning its organizational resources around support for instructional improvement.

As a teacher I plan to base my classroom management plan on Linda Albert's Cooperative Discipline. I will also incorporate aspects of Positive Discipline in my classroom management plan. I chose Cooperative Discipline as the foundation of my personal management plan because I agree with the model that Linda Albert has created. I believe that students should be able to start making their own decisions in middle school instead of constantly being put into a mold that some educators believe is necessary in order to teach. Rather than constantly disciplining my students instead I will use this style to manage them. I agree with this approach because research has shown us that middle school is where students really begin to find their sense of self.

If they all work together the classroom will not only be a positive environment, but the goals that have been set will be achieved. High-quality teachers are important to have in any school district because they can really make a difference on our student’s life. We need to realize that our students are our future and it is important that they use what they have learned so they can learn to face the world properly with the different type of skills they have learned in school. Some students face complications, but educators are their to help students get through anything. It is always important to ask questions and to ask for help. This is something we encourage most at the Rolla Public School

This session was conducted in the schools detention room during fifth period. Anthony Cruz a Hispanic male recently enrolled at Morris Academy for Collaborative studies. (AC) and his older sister were raised in a one parent household. (AC) states that his biological mother is addicted to drugs. He has never met his biological father. (AC) believes that he and his biological sister were removed from the home due to the mother being both physically and verbally abusive. (AC) states that bio mother would often hit him and his sister with a belt. After being removed from the home (AC’s) bio aunt became his care giver (AC) refers to bio aunt as mom. (AC) and his older sister were placed in different homes.

In this paper, I will reflect on my new knowledge and skills that I have acquired regarding teacher leadership, supportive communication and collaboration. I will also reflect on practical application of these skills, such as assessing the needs, problems or issues, and creating the action plan to address the issues. In the end, I will define how teacher leadership can positively affect student learning and achievement.

I interact with the mobile dental van. This van goes within the community to help the underserved population that lack access to care for various reasons. As far as the Dobbs Ferry Campus van come to campus and serve a huge population of children, who otherwise may not receive the appropriate care that is needed. They are referred out to specialties if needed. They provide care to the limited secured detention’s youth who are locked down and is not allow to roam free on campus. They provide care to the foster children that are followed by the clinic in the Bronx. It is a way to meet and provide care for the target population within their community. I also deal with the Family Assistance Program that houses

Collaboration between teachers is a key component to professional development that will lead to higher student achievement. There is a need for schools to set up time for teachers to be able to collaborate together. This allows for teachers to help each other, matchup content, teach each other new and best practices, troubleshoot student issues just to name a few of the areas that collaboration time can help foster within a school. The key is to build time for teachers to be able to collaborate during the school day or week. This collaboration time needs to be between grade levels, departments, and cross curricular when needed. For many schools this is an afterthought to the school schedule or a fleeting thought after the master schedule is completed. A principal needs to keep an open mind to any strategy that will enable the teachers to be able to collaborate for the good of the students and the school.

During my second preclinical experience at Westview Hills Middle School, I learned the importance of cooperation and collaboration among teachers at a school. I was able to observe team and department meetings during this experience. It became clear that it is important for teachers to work together in order to provide a positive atmosphere at a school and in a specific department. Although it became obvious that personalities and teaching styles were different throughout the school, the teachers still acted professionally and used each other as resources in

My passion for teaching will continue from a different perspective now. One gain from the supervision cycle is that I now place a higher value on listening and discussing with teachers. I often would ask myself if being a principal is what I want to be, but this great experience has confirmed for me that helping others and seeing them grow is my passion. Glickman, Gordon, and Gordon-Ross (2014) define the clinical supervision cycle as assistance for the enhancement of teaching and learning (Glickman et al., 2014, p. 9). The goal of clinical supervision is to foster teachers’ learning skills, improving instruction and student learning. Therefore, I do want teachers to feel I am there to support them in all aspects through the collaboration based on their individual needs. This experience makes me think that I will always be a teacher and I will always be a learner with teachers; the same way teachers work with students. I want them to be open with me so that together we can implement changes in the least restrictive way possible. I look forward to practicing the clinical supervision cycle with teachers the coming year. I have enjoyed and learned so much in this experience, but one thing stays in my heart is the fact that teachers aim for constructive feedback, this allows many positive opportunities. As I listened to Ms. Aguilar during the post conference, I realized that feedback provides a foundation for a positive teacher- supervisor relationship. By providing appropriate feedback, the teachers understand that the supervisor is genuinely concerned about their growth. This component also enhances a teachers’ self-efficacy and provides an avenue for motivation. The ultimate goal of supervision is for teachers to improve their knowledge and skills in order to make schools a more efficient and effective learning community for all

In implementing this model in my school, I would use it to focus my attention on collaboration. I would develop a community where teachers talk, observe, and plan together. Teachers will be encouraged to develop improvement plans and use positive feedback. The staff is a key component to these models being effective. Teachers needs should be recognized and their ideas generally accepted. Staff must be supported and well trained. Finding ways to connect with one another within the school culture is essential as is enhancing staff participation by encouraging collaboration. Through my actions I will model this. I will be out in the halls and in the classrooms, connecting with the staff as well as the students. It will be important to make

“There is an unequivocal correlation between student achievement and teacher quality.” Direct supervision and evaluation of teachers should effectively address teacher quality, and thereby effect student learning and achievement. Bret Range, an associate professor of educational leadership at the University of Wyoming has written two papers and maintains a blog related to teacher supervision. His research indicates, “the key to teacher development lies within well-planned teacher supervisory activities.”

“Through collaboration, ideas can be shared, new and better strategies can be developed, problems can be solved, students’ progresses can be better monitored, and their outcomes are evaluated effectively.”¬ (Lee, 1996).