Module Six Discussion

There were several key ideas that stuck out for me in the readings this week, however,

three of these ideas allowed me to reflect and understand how I have been impacted by

collaboration throughout my teaching career. The first key idea that captured my attention was

in the Jewett & MacPhee, 2012 article in which it discusses that an effective collaboration model

uses the constructivist approach. Using the constructivist approach allows new ideas,

opportunities, and technologies to be implemented in the learning environment; allowing for

improved learning and engagement opportunities for teachers and classrooms employing this

approach. This allowed me to think back to several years ago when I was working on my

undergraduate degree and teaching certification, when I chose this as one of the approaches that I

wanted to implement into my classroom. The second big idea from the readings that I took away

this week was from the Jewett & MacPhee, 2012 article in which it discusses findings from the

studies in which coaching teachers refused to collaborate with teachers that they have been

observing. Having experienced a similar situation during my student teaching, I could relate to

how it impacted some of the participants in the study. The best advice that I can give in this

situation is to keep on trying to communicate and collaborate with the individual(s), as this will

ensure that you as a collaborator and educator have tried everything to be part of the team within

the educational environment (Jewett & MacPhee, 2012).

The third key idea that caught my attention in the readings this week was from the Parker

& et al., 2014 article, in which it discusses a climate of trust and respect as the necessary

foundations for successful peer coaching. Establishing and maintaining a trusting and respectful

relationship is one of the most important keys for supervising, collaborating, and co-teaching
with other staff members in the educational environment. During my time in education, I have

been able to establish and maintain healthy relationships and collaboration partnerships with

co-workers in a variety of educational settings; in which respect and trust have been two major

factors in allowing me to be successful in building these relationships and partnerships with

others (Parker & et al., 2014). While there were several questions that I pondered throughout the

readings this week, the one that I kept going back to was, despite all of the research, findings,

and benefits of building healthy collaborative relationships, why do so many people in the

educational field continue to not embrace collaboration? While the answer to this question might

have several different options, I believe and encourage my a collaborative environment in my

current position, as I know that collaboration offers many benefits for every person on the team.

References:

Jewett, P. & MacPhee, D. (2012). A dialogic conception of learning: Collaborative peer

coaching. ​International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education, 1​(1), p. 14-15.

Parker, P., Kram, K.E. & Hall, D.T. (2014). Peer coaching: An untapped resource for

development. ​Organizational Dynamics, 43​(2), p. 123-124.