Ima Sample Collaboration Collaboration in education is needed at all levels, from the janitor, teachers, supporting staff, school board, parents to the community in which the school resides. I have found having good relationships with the staff can create a positive learning environment for my students: the janitor who keeps our room clean and listens to my student in the hall who is upset, a second grade teacher who shares reading games and fun books for my students to read, down to the Principal who comes into the room and listens to the my students as they tell her about their day. At Iowa Valley Community School District I have been collaborative efforts in the process of setting up standards and benchmarks for the school district. After a meeting to coordinate efforts and show examples of other standards and benchmarks, the teachers were teamed up by grade levels and subject matter. This way everyone served on a team, there would be a variety of grade levels on each team, and each team had a different subject to look at. As I have been working with Iowa City School Districts standards and benchmarks, I offered a copy of those to the teachers to assist their efforts in coming up with ones for Iowa Valley. My cooperating teacher said that the set I gave her came in handy. I have also been able to assist in planning for the Elementary Family Reading Night. Any one from the elementary building could participate in the planning. We planned food for the families to eat and games for all the children to play. The families had a great time. The next thing we’re planning for is a Title 1 reading night, in which we are planning for the food to be served, activities for the students to be doing, and activities for other smaller children who come with the families. I can’t wait to see the student’s faces. As a parent I have always loved Parent-Teacher conferences. It has been my chance to work with the teacher for my child’s benefit. As a student teacher I have kept this in mind when working with the parents. I viewed parent teacher conferences as was my opportunity to meet some of the parents and get a chance to work more with the parents I already knew. My Cooperating Teacher allowed me to talk freely with the parents. Because I had been working with the small reading groups, my Cooperating Teacher solicited my comments on the students reading abilities. To keep in touch with the parents I have sent introductory letters home about new units coming up. These units inform the parents of what is happening in the classroom and possible ways they could help. To introduce my unit on Being a Good Citizen, I sent a letter to the parents asking for items from home to show symbols of America to the students. This worked extremely well. We had many items for our bulletin board and items to pass around for show and tell time. I then wrote thank you notes to each family, addressed to the child and family, thanking them for sending the items to school and how the students enjoyed it. One parent told me that she enjoyed looking up items on the internet with her child. That opened up communication about other things about her child. During my placement I have been told many things in the best interest of my students. Without this knowledge I would not have been able to help my students the way I have. But I also understand that the information I have been told, such as information about my student’s and my student’s family’s background, should be kept confidential. Having been a Daycare Director in the past, I know and have seen how pertinent it is not to share confidential information. Over all I have learned how Iowa Valley works together for the common goal of their students. From the staff to the parents and the community, they work like a puzzle. Each piece coming together to make the school one of the best I have been associated with. I am glad I had a chance to be apart of what goes on “behind the scenes”. Now I feel confident about having my own classroom, knowing I can build relationships and support networks where ever I go. |