TEACHERCOLLABORATION Improving Your Child’s Learning

By: Michael Allen, ES Principal

ISB is a school committed to ongoing and continuous improvement. Simply put, we’re always looking for ways to ensure our students receive the best education possible! One of the most important factors in achieving this goal is to ensure that our teachers work together in high-functioning collaborative teams and engage in practices aligned with the Professional Learning Communities.

Research has shown that when teachers work together as a team, it has a significant positive impact on student achievement. According to Patrick Lencioni, teamwork expert and author of “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” a high-functioning team is one that is focused on a common goal, trusts each other, communicates effectively, and holds each other accountable. When teachers work in such a team, they are able to share their knowledge and skills, collaborate on lesson planning, and support each other in implementing effective teaching strategies. This, in turn, leads to improved student learning outcomes for ALL students.

This is why every teacher in the elementary school is a member of a collaborative team. In fact, there are no teachers in the elementary school who work in isolation.

When teachers engage in practices defined by the Professional Learning Communities framework, they are able to deepen their understanding of student learning, improve their instructional practices, and ultimately improve student outcomes. Richard and Rebecca Dufour, educational researchers and authors of “Professional Learning Communities at Work,” define a professional learning community (PLC) as a group of educators who share a common purpose, work collaboratively, and use evidence-based practices to improve student learning. PLCs provide a platform for teachers to engage in ongoing professional development, reflect on their practice, and make data-driven decisions to improve student achievement. When teachers work in a high-functioning team and engage in PLCs, they are better equipped to meet the needs of ALL students, including those who are struggling and those who might benefit from enrichment.

Every day in the elementary school teachers are working in their collaborative teams to design engaging and challenging lessons that inspire students to learn and create a culture of high expectations where all students are encouraged to achieve their full potential. Teachers who are part of a team also benefit from the support and mentorship of their colleagues, which helps to reduce stress and ensures that they are able to provide their students with the best possible education.

In addition to working closely with your child and their peers as well as partnering with you, elementary teachers spend a significant amount of time working with their colleagues on their collaborative teams each day. Be sure to ask your child’s teacher more about their collaborative teamwork, and how their work benefits your child everyday at ISB.