All of those that I interviewed defined collaboration, co-teaching, and consultation in a similar way. That is, working together to improve a given item or to accomplish a common goal. In my opinion, this can be best summed up as teamwork.

All of those interviewed believed that in order for collaboration, co-teaching, and consultation to occur there needs to be time built into their schedules to work together. There also needs to be good communication, mutual trust, honesty, and respect between all parties involved. They also suggested that flexibility, maturity, and good planning skills will also be beneficial for these practices.

Those interviewed believed that the benefits of collaboration, co-teaching, and consultation are improved achievement, professional growth and development, and development of talents. Through sharing of ideas, observation, and teamwork, practices are improved and communication skills are enhanced.

Those interviewed believed that the barriers to collaboration, co-teaching, and consultation are lack of time, money, and respect, mistrust, personality conflicts, and preconceived notions. They stated that if there was more time given to work collaboratively and plan, they would be able to overcome some of the barriers mentioned above.

The skills that all of the interviewees believed are necessary for collaboration, co-teaching, and consultation to occur were listening, cooperation, trust, time management, organization, flexibility, the ability to think on your feet, and the willingness to try new things.

All of those interviewed stated that they are comfortable and prepared for collaboration and co-teaching. They stated that this is because they have had years of experience with both collaboration and co-teaching. However, they have had little to no experience with consultation and are unfamiliar with what it requires. They did state that if they expectations of consultation would be explained, then they would be more able to make a decision.

Everyone interviewed stated that the most important condition that is necessary for collaboration, co-teaching, and consultation to occur would be enough time in their schedule to work on these things. Other conditions would be open-mindedness and available resources.

All of the professionals interviewed stated that in order to be better prepared for collaboration, co-teaching, and consultation, they would need time in their schedules to plan and set an agenda. Then they would need time to observe each of the practices and the freedom to try out the practices themselves. They would also need time to reflect on what worked and what didn't work.

The administrators stated that they were very likely to use collaboration and consultation in the near future. However, they would not be co-teaching. The special education teacher stated that she would collaborate weekly and co-teach as asked. However, she would doubt that she would use consultation in the near future.

All of those interviewed stated that their undergraduate college classes didn't prepare them for collaboration, co-teaching, and consultation. The administrators stated that they had a few graduate classes that prepared them for collaboration and consultation. However, not for co-teaching. The special education teacher stated that she has not had any college at the graduate level that have prepared her for these three aspects. She did say that she gained more knowledge through work experience than anything else.