3 tips for supporting staff collaboration

Collaboration is one of the most essential pillars of teacher and student success. Authentic collaboration sparks a natural curiosity of how we can best impact student achievement and move learning forward. When I was a teacher, I felt most successful during the years that my Professional Learning Community engaged in authentic collaboration. We implemented nearly identical lessons, shared our data, co-planned units and even took turns making copies. Because of this shared sense of ownership, our successes and struggles were shared. No one felt singled out when our students needed more support. And when our test scores showed that our approach had been successful, our area superintendent even came out to congratulate us together. It wasn’t one classroom standing out among the others, or three classrooms failing and two shining. It was all of us shining together.

As a leader now, one of my top priorities is setting teachers up for true collaboration like that. Every year, we’re leading teams with new teachers and veteran teachers, teams with teachers who excel in classroom management and others who are excellent assessment designers. When we can support them in working together as a team, staff morale improves. It’s so powerful when initiatives, data and plans are all discussed using the collective “we.” In teamwork, when you win, you win together.

Here are some of the ways school leaders can lay the groundwork for authentic collaboration:

1. Articulate a vision for collaboration that elevates both new and veteran teachers.

Start the year with a discussion about what collaboration means to you. Collaboration can look different from team to team. It could look different from school to school or district to district, but you need to be clear on what you hope to see staff doing and how you expect it to support student outcomes. What does successful collaboration look like? What is your vision? Why do you value it? 

2. Know the skill sets of your staff members – and name them for the team.

Everyone on your staff brings their own gifts and talents. By naming the strengths you see, you can make sure everyone on your staff knows where to turn for ideas and instructional resources.  

Asking for a school-wide shift to a more collaborative culture will land differently with different staff members. I’ve seen some veteran teachers respond to a collaboration invitation with more enthusiasm when positioned as mentors. At the same time, it’s important to elevate the value of fresh input from new teachers and encourage idea-sharing from all. When I was a beginning teacher, I was like a sponge, soaking up knowledge from new staff without feeling confident that my ideas had value. I’ve learned along the way that newer generations of teachers bring skill sets that we’ve never even considered. Beginning teachers need to be empowered to share the thoughts, ideas and resources they bring to the table.

Right now, for example, we’re in a moment when many new educators are more comfortable exploring emerging technology like AI. Creating opportunities for staff to share what they’ve tried with MagicSchool, for example, can lead to two-way collaboration between new and experienced staff. Let teachers know that while collaboration can require an up-front time investment, you ultimately see it as a way to lighten the load and curb burnout. 

3. Set intentional collaboration time.

Of course, teachers always need more hours in the day, so it’s essential that we offer them the time they need to collaborate – and treat that time respectfully. Lead with protocols to help narrow focus and meet objectives. Have a routine for collaboration time, whether it’s looking at data or co-creating lesson plans. Consider having designated collaboration days – for example, 90 minutes of PLC time on Wednesday mornings or a planning day – and be intentional about who is included in each session. Teachers can plan more effectively if they know an instructional coach is coming to facilitate a data dig, or an ELL teacher is invited to advise on differentiation. It’s crucial to have all instructional support staff at the table; this allows the Professional Learning Community to spend more time on asking and answering questions about the how’s of teaching and less time on the what. 

How will you know collaboration is going well?

One of the most powerful ways to change our school climates is to hone in on the collaboration. You’ll feel the difference when teachers move beyond compliance and toward authenticity. When collaboration feels deeply meaningful, teachers won’t meet because they’re “supposed” to hold PLC time, but because it’s how the work gets done. Because we’re a team, and we’re all here to empower student growth and success. Because everybody is all in, every day. Because we’re here to make a difference – together.