Leadership+in+the+21st+Century

// Leadership in the 21st Century﻿ //
Kovacik Group

Archived Session #14 presents seven strategies for creating time for training and collaboration, which includes the following ideas: //**I love the idea of a 12 month planner! That way all teachers know in advance and can plan accordingly. The ideas above are great ways to implement planning time. In addition, teachers can meet outside of school for breakfast, dinner, happy hour, summer outings etc. Our school is attempting to incorporate grade level meetings on a regular basis. Up to this point, they have been hit or miss due to various reasons. If we are serious about staying connected and supporting each other during the education reform, we must create time to collaborate.**// //**Laurie McGraw**//
 * __FINDING TIME FOR TRAINING AND COLLABORATION __**
 * Common Preparation Time
 * Parallel Scheduling
 * Adjusted Start and End Times
 * Shared Classes
 * Group Activities, Events, or Testing
 * Banking Time
 * In-Service/Faculty Meeting Time
 * Please share additional ideas you have for generating collaboration time in the space provided below. **
 * Please share additional ideas you have for generating collaboration time in the space provided below. **


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 * I like some of the ideas presented, and as you already know from the earlier posts, our school, HOPE Academy Northcoast has many different ways to allow for collaboration, from meetings in the earlier morning and after schoool, to grade level meetings during the day. I must say though the idea of having the teacher come in earlier or stay late in replacement for that all day inservice that was mentioned in the session rings nice to me also. There are so many people in my school that do come a good 1/2 hour to an hour early, and a meeting could be had to reward them for the time to meet, and they could have a day off to do personal business, with out taking their sick time. When the district that my children are in began having the early relase day, i didnt understand what a tacher could be doing, and now I wish that I could have them also, because just a 1/2 day to talk through ideas each week would be so beneficial. **
 * Karen Banks-Carlisle **


 * I think that a good to meet would be during the start of our work day. We have to be at work at 7:30 so we could meet at that time. This would not cause any conflict unless another meeting was scheduled but to avoid that we can keep a calander with our meeting day on it. We can meet for 30 minutes to address the ins and outs of the class. Group activies could be discussed collaboratively as a group to decide the best time. Angela Whorton **
 * * **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A couple of years ago, we had grade level planning meetings once a week 8:00am-9:00. They were very beneficial. The interventionalists, title teachers, special teachers, and classroom teachers would be present. The time was built into our schedules. These meetings kept everyone informed as to what was going on in everyone's classroom. Problems were discussed and solutions made. Minutes of the meetings were kept and given to the principal so everyone was on the same page. This would have been a great time to collaborate too. Eileen Kovacik **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">* **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I appreciate having read the previous two posts and recognize that even the planning of collaboration will have to be a win-win timing with all those involved. However, I do know that there will be times when not everyone can attend. I like the idea of maybe a once a month web session that is in the evening yet i hear everything that Janet is saying. It would be difficult for some people but then most of us who have pursued our Masters or other classes have had to take evening classes and we made it work. If it was up to me, I would get together with our collaborative group and plan out at least a semester worth of meetings that had a chance of making a 90% attendance rate be this cohort or grade level teacher meetings. Our school year started Aug. 10th and although we complained about the early start, it did afford us the opportunity to meet and learn and develop strategies for the upcoming year. Starting early does not seem to generate as much complaining as extending the year. At least in my experience that is so. I also like the idea of having grade level educational assemblies by in or out of school experts that could free up an hour of time for the teachers to meet and plan or attend a short professional development themselves. **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gail West **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Making time for meaningful collaboration is crucial, however, it cannot interfere with the vital instructional time of the students. I too, advocate for early release days where teacher can devote 100% of their attention to critical collaboration. In order to accomodate this needed component, the school year should be lengthened for the students, as teachers remain behind almost a week after the students depart for the summer. If such a plan is announced in advance (at the beginning of the school year, with the release of the school calandar) I would not foresee any issues with student supervision. If we are going to make any headway with collaborative efforts, such changes are not only necessitated, but crucial. **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Christopher Terec **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I truly believe the most productive way to elicit an atmosphere and environment for meaningful collaboration is through an early release time, thus freeing up teachers mentally and emotionally to channel 100% of their energies into working with each other. Given the needs of children and families to hold to their normed schedules, those students whose families cannot reasonably find a way to pick-up their students could be supervised by assistants and staff in activities such as movies, art and music lessons, team sports such as basketball, etc. This would not necessitate additional expenditures by the District. **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know that the City of Elyria currently has accommodated some type of program in which either the schools start late or are released early. The topic of teacher collaboration and planning times was a major focus of one of the Ashland graduate courses I took two years ago while working on my master's and this approach was welcomed not "grin and bear it" by the Elyria teachers. **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Out of respect to the extremely busy lives of teachers, I respectfully would discurage evening meetings--even via live computer sessions. This could interfere with planned family time, 2nd job schedules, etc. and a feeling by teachers of being overwhelmed and even exploited. **
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Janet Carrettin **


 * Another very effective way for classroom teachers to have collaboration time is to offer the students more special classes (art, music, p.e.). I worked at a schoool where the students had special classes five days a week and two times a day. This gave staff members enough time to collaborate and plan. Teachers were not forced to come in early or stay late. It did not cost the school extra money because the special teachers were already full time employees. **
 * Allison Underation﻿ **

** In my opinion there were many great ideas mentioned so far to find time for collaboration. Another idea I feel would work well is to have grade level meetings every Monday after school. This could be time to reflect on last week and set the new goals and plans for this week. If the teachers know ahead of time this is going to happen they can use their other time to plan their individual classroom tasks. ** **Aubrey Richards**

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">﻿I feel that my school, HOPE Academy Northcoast, does a very good job with finding times for teacher collaboration. Every Wednesday morning, we have a Huddle where every staff member has to attend and talk about different topics that are brought up. On top of that, we also have grade level meetings once every other week. At these meetings, we are able to talk with the specific teacher and grade levels that we are working with during the school day. We also have meetings after school for the different committee's each staff member is part of. Since we have to be at school an hour before the students arrive and stay a half hour after they leave, this leaves us with plenty of time to colloborate and talk with our co-workers. So, I guess my suggestion would to set aside certain days of the week for staff meetings, grade level meetings, or any other meetings that you need to have. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Emily Volk

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Allowing teachers time to communicate and collaborate with one another is very important in building a strong school and grade level teams. Our teachers are required to have 3 grade level meetings a week and the last Monday of every month is early release day, which is used for staff meetings and professional development. However, after training has been provided for teachers there needs to be follow through with the ideas and/or strategies given. Also grade level meetings need to be productive where ideas are shared and issues are solved. It should not be a time for negativity and complaints. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Carly Polder

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Along with what Carly has stated, we agreed in our cohort that if a stipend is given, teachers will come at times other than required. As an administrator, I have also invited groups of teachers over to my house for dinner after which we collaborated about what was needed. I have also invited teams out to dinner for the same purpose. Our focus is always on student achievement. We have also tried many of the great suggestions already mentioned. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Linda Mansfield

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">As part of the Southside Academy cohort, I agree with what my team has stated. I also have an out of the box idea: Snow Days! Usually, on a snow day, the roads are only bad for a couple of hours in the morning. They are fine the rest of the day. Instead of going to the mall, why not make teachers come in for a few hours of uninterrupted collaboration? It can be made up throughout the year at convenient times that could not be used for meetings anyway or early release or later start times. I know I have personally come in on snow days for meetings that were important or could not be cancelled. I think this would be very productive. I also like the idea about the evening wimbas. How do you set them up? <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Diana Zidian

Our administration is well aware of the importance of continual collaboration between team members, other grade levels, and other subject areas. Time is built in throughout our academic year for horizontal, vertical, and cross-curricular meeting time. This provides time to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals. Stephanie Groscost

I agree that a lot of interesting ideas were presented in the lesson and here on the wiki. I’m a fan of the ideas that allow for collaboration during the workday, if possible. As mentioned earlier, staff have busy days outside of work hours and it is a lot to try to collaborate outside of school. I prefer freeing up staff through banking time, grouping classes, having longer lunches or common coverage using subs or other staff members. G. Joy Beasley

There have been many thoughtful ideas presented. I preceive that finding time for professional training and collaboration with staff members is unique to every school. Questions need to be considered; How much time is available between when the teachers arrive and the students arive? How much time is there between dismissal of students and when teachers leave for the day? It ultimately comes down to time management. At our school, I think it would be helpful to present concerns or issues of concern by the way of email and then come prepared with possible solutions. At HOPE Academy Brown Street we have approximately 45 minutes after school to pick one day a week to meet to discuss positive and/or negative concerns concerning our school. I di like the idea of having two special a week to free up more time for teacher collaboration. I know several "excellant" school districts that impement this into their schedule and it working successfully. Like Alison said it does not cost extra because the teachers are fulltime. The only downside of this is most HOPE academies are K-8 and most public schools do have both elementary and middleschool to share the same specials teacher. Teresa Sharrard

<span style="color: #14ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">We have a lot of time available for collaboration at my school. We have a weekly staff meeting (Huddle) and various grade-level meetings throughout the week. In addition, before school and after school are great times to allow teachers to meet. Even of our meetings are informal, we still collaborate and communicate! Overall, I prefer time for collaboration during the school day, as opposed to taking summer or Saturday time. <span style="color: #14ff00; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Rachel Sonego

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿I really liked the idea of using the Wiki. I thought that the extended time over lunch was a great idea! We have the same planning time in the morning to discuss with our PLC. We also have a PLC meeting on Wednesdays. It is so nice to be able to discuss with our group. I have found that it is so neccessary to talk with each other and plan. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Trena Foringer

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">I really liked using the wiki as well. I also think that we should have team meetings with teachers from other schools at the same level. We did that one year, but I think we should do it more often. I really appreciate us having time during our planning periods to meet with our team and our team having the same planning period.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Christina Clason

I like that we are given common planning time to collaborate. I also think that using a wiki as well as group messenger and e-mail are great resources. Sometimes it seems that we get so caught up in our day and the latest emergency that we forget that it is important to take what time we can to collaborate. I know that I need to slow down and spend more time talking to others in my PLC because that time is so important.

Karen Oliver