Survey of Collaborative Practices by Mary Hatton by Mary Hatton

Working Together

maryhatton316 — 2014-01-08 23:36:07 UTC

Every teacher that I was able to interview had similar responses when they were asked questions about collaboration and co-teaching in terms of struggles you may encounter and characteristics that are important for teachers to possess when working together.

The kindergarten teacher that I interviewed had a lot of positive things to say about co-teaching. She utilizes her classroom aide and student teachers as co-teachers in the classroom. She noted that is important to be able to adapt to different teaching styles and classroom management styles in order to be successful co-teaching.

The special education teacher had mixed reviews on co-teaching. Like the kindergarten teacher she mentioned how important it is to be able to communicate with one another. She also has had experiences co-teaching with a teacher that is very stuck in his/her ways and that can make teaching and collaboration very difficult. You must be willing to adjust!

The librarian doesn't do a whole lot of co-teaching but she collaborates every day! She had a lot of similar things to say about the subject, one thing that stood out to me was that you have to be willing to share your ideas and resources in order to be successful!

"I Was NOT Prepared"

maryhatton316 — 2014-01-08 23:46:19 UTC

I thought it was very interesting and important to note that all three teachers that I interviewed mentioned that they were not prepared in their college courses for collaboration and co-teaching. I find this interesting because they all attended college over 10 years ago. I learned a lot about co-teaching and collaboration in my courses and I am glad that it is now being addressed more as it is so vital to a positive classroom experience.

maryhatton316 — 2014-01-08 23:47:52 UTC

Time

maryhatton316 — 2014-01-10 16:28:26 UTC

Throughout all of my interviews time was a constant theme when it came to collaboration, co-teaching, and consultation.

The special education teacher that I interviewed expressed that unfortunately, in her schedule, she is not given much time to collaborate with her co-teachers. She made a comment that when she co-teaches in first grade (she leads science and social studies in the first grade inclusion classroom), she has to collaborate in passing with the teacher to discuss what they will be doing that day.

The librarian that I interviewed also mentioned that time is an issue because she has to collaborate with teachers across the board, and there isn't always a chance to do so.

The general education teacher (kindergarten) feels that she has a good amount of time to collaborate with her peers and specialists, but she would not be opposed to having more time!

maryhatton316 — 2014-01-10 16:45:07 UTC

maryhatton316 — 2014-01-10 16:51:06 UTC

Other Thoughts

maryhatton316 — 2014-01-10 16:51:32 UTC

Something I only heard from the special education teacher that I thought I would hear from all interviewed was budget complaints. The special education teacher is doing a lot of consulting to get her materials and ideas. Most of the materials she uses she borrows from other first and second grade teachers.

I learned a lot from this assignment. It was very informative to sit down with my peers and discuss these topics.

Consultation

maryhatton316 — 2014-01-10 16:59:26 UTC

When I brought up consultation with most of the interviewees they were not as vocal about it as the other topics.

All teachers referred to asking questions or getting advice from colleagues or administrators when asked about consultation.

maryhatton316 — 2014-01-10 18:58:10 UTC