Sharon+-+Colleagues

Colleague collaboration is a whole staff focus involving a common desire for the improvement of teaching practices and student learning. Successful collaboration has a positive impact on student outcomes, teacher professional development, creating ownership within the school, and implementing a whole school focus. //Collaboration involves building strong professional relationships through ethical behaviors, supporting team members, and valuing mentoring partnerships.// (Lundsgard)

Collegial Ethical behavior includes having //positive regards for other staff, through respect, caring, integrity, diligence and open communication//. To ensure that ethical behavior standards are adhered to, teachers are encouraged to;
 * act with impartiality, truthfulness and honesty,
 * be fair and reasonable,
 * focus on anti-discriminatory actions,
 * work together as a team,
 * share knowledge and expertise,
 * be loyal and supporting of each other. (week 3 reading – behaving ethically)

Support networks include //administration, peer and mentor teachers, and paraprofessionals// such as teacher aides, volunteers and specialist teachers. New teachers are initially supported by highly experienced peers and mentors who are a wealth of information allowing opportunity for modeling, observations, dialogue, practice, continuity in caring, teaming, reflection, and confirmation of actions therefore helping the mentored teacher develop a high level of practical competency and maintaining enthusiasm for teaching, (reading 1.1).

New teachers are also often required to supervise, manage and evaluate paraprofessionals interaction within the classroom. These //paraprofessional are an integral part of the schooling environment making a positive impact in the school system when utilized efficiently.// Collaboration between members of these support networks is essential in the building of strong relationships to develop new knowledge leading to curriculum reform and transformation of teaching for social change (reading 3.10).

Thus, working as part of a team, it is expected that all teachers:
 * develop and share common visions;
 * share in decision making;
 * display openness, honesty, respect, and trust;
 * use clear communication;
 * display the ability to talk constructively through conflicts;
 * make use of team resources. (reading 1.1)

Hi, Sorry this has taken so long to get up here. To be brutally honest, I have really struggled with how to write this. Not so much the content, but the context. I began with an essay style prose, but it felt too long winded and boring. Hence why I have ended up writing with headings and dot points. My thoughts were that handbooks are usually written in a way that make it easy for people to read, you have in-depth sections and dot points for the person who wants to flick through and get to their focus area fast. Please let me know if you feel I have gone about this the wrong way, as any input is greatly appreciated! I'm thick skinned so my feelings wont be hurt :P (as this is still a draft i will fix the referencing once happy with the content) thanks Sharon

Re-reading I think it's still a bit too formal? needs to mention our school? did i read somewhere our school is "nice school"? sharon

Sharon, You have covered everything, wich although shows a great understanding of the subject is a bit to long for the booklet, eventhe new A4 format I've been working on. Maybe we could roll the dot points into a sentence to reduce the physical length of the document. It is a bit formal... Maybe we could take the headings out and soften the feel with including the school name or motto Liz

Thanks liz...i was thinking along those lines...it's so hard too fit everything in to such a small section...i'm so used to trying to expand on my writing to meet the word count! I will have another look at it tonight :D Sharon