Learning to Grow as a Team Member

In Mary Kate's last blog she invites us to choose three questions to consider this school year.  While I haven't constructed three questions, I do have one that I've been exploring this summer. How can I be a more productive and contributing member to all the grade level teams I collaborate with?  Luckily for me, another literacy coach in our district marked this book on Goodreads The Art of Coaching Teams - Building Resilient Communities That Transform Schools .  

 
What are you currently reading that supports your questions about teaching and learning?  

It was the subtitle that mainly grabbed me, "Building Resilient Communities."  Keeping with my self-promise of more reflection through writing I've been reading this book in small parts and recording my quick thoughts. 

Reading this book makes me even more thankful for those I get to collaborate with each day.  As a reading support teacher and literacy coach, I feel welcomed at team meetings.  I feel my voice is heard but sometimes worry that it could be overheard.  And if I'm truly honest, not all meetings are created equally.  There are those uplifting meetings, the less productive, the frustrating, the empowering, and all the in between.  I think we have all been there. 

So, the question is how can I personally help contribute more productively once the team has established the purpose for each meeting?

I am about a third of the way into this book and so far it focuses on what we can do as a team that will build our trust and help us become more productive toward our goals for student learning. Here are just a few of my notes and thoughts that this reading has guided:

•   I have to know myself as a learner and a person.  What qualities do I have to contribute to the team?  The author suggests that we know who we are and what we want to be.  I think that this is not always easy for educators.  As a whole it seems that educators are quick to express self-doubt and slow to admit our contributions or accept specific compliments.  

•   Work on keeping commitments and clearly state the purpose for the team meetings while keeping in mind different team meetings have different purposes.

•   Ask one another for feedback.  When teams get into the practice of regular feedback, members are able to be  more open with one another in monitoring progress.   

•   Reflect regularly as a team. Not only reflect on student learning but also reflect on how the team is functioning.

•   Continue to build a culture of listening

•   Celebrate Success - Big or little, we just can't get so bogged down that we forget to celebrate!

•   Acknowledge areas for growth - be honest with one another in a respectful way, in the spirit of keeping to team norms and reaching our purpose.

•   Practice appreciating one another and be specific.  

•   Play and have fun together! All of us can do that right?!  But in all honesty how often do we have the time or make the time to just have fun with those on our teams?

When I think about working with others whether that is with students or adults, 
I always think about trust.  I love that this book repeatedly reminds us that we have 
to work at building trust with one another no matter how long we have worked together.
Trust is truly at the core.