Building Professional Relationships With Colleagues To Share Teaching Insights And Critical Thinking Example

- Since teachers work in relative solitude from each other, it is important for them to seek
out professional relationships as a way of validating their profession, gaining support for what they do on a daily basis, and be able to have cohorts who can appreciate their cares and concerns. Teaching is a profession that is not regarded as highly as many others with equal educational backgrounds. Frequently, teachers are viewed as adults who spend their day caring for kids rather than professionals who are teaching the future generation. It is important that teachers support each other so that they can be unified and earn the respect that is deserved. When teachers are having a difficult day, or a great day, it is important to share with other teachers. The students in the class cannot appreciate the success or the difficulties in the same ways that peers can. When teachers are celebrating or struggling, like-minded professional individuals are the ones that might be able to share ideas or offer the support that is needed or the inspiration that one can share with another can help both professionals through a work day.
- In most cases, the most appropriate colleagues for which a teacher to collaborate and seek
resources is a more senior teacher. However, newer teachers that are mature and have well-developed lessons, ideas, and are willing to collaborate and participate in give, take, and constructive criticism are also potential resources as well. The most important component is seeking colleagues who are willing to work with each other.
- Examples of collaboration can include a mentor teacher and a mentee, a student teacher
and the experienced teacher, a special education instructor working with a regular education teacher with an inclusion population, and a team of teachers who are working on a curriculum-wide project.