Module 2: Discussion 2

BUILDING A COLLABORATIVE TEAM

Collaboration leverages diverse perspectives and skills and can promote creativity and productivity.”

– Morel, 2014, p. 3

As you review the contributions of your colleagues representing members of Mayor Keller’s task force in Module 2 Discussion 1, reflect on their perspectives and relevant data. Through this process, you will learn about the concerns of task force team members who have expertise in other educational specializations.

An essential element of change is collaboration among those working to initiate and implement that change. Taking in varying perspectives contributes to a fuller understanding of the issues facing Grand City and helps to address them more effectively. How might you build a collaborative team to promote creativity and productivity in the changes you are suggesting for your specialization and Grand City?

For this Discussion, you will develop a hypothetical, cross-specialization team to support you in initiating the changes you outlined in your action plan for this module’s Discussion 1.

To prepare:

Read the Morel (2014) article on collaboration and review Chenoweth’s (2015) thoughts on collaboration and change. Consider the benefits of collaboration in an educator’s professional life. Reflect on the individuals you currently collaborate with inside and outside of your professional field. What specific strategies work well to keep this collaboration positive and forward moving?
In the City Hall location in Grand City, revisit the task force’s opening meeting where individual members discuss their goals for change in Grand City.

Read Chapter 3 in the Fullan (2016) text, and review the action plan you outlined for Module 2 Discussion 1. If you were a member of the task force representing your specialization area, and based on the factors that affect initiation in the resources, who would you select as a member of a cross-specialization team to initiate and implement your plans for change?

Note: The members of your hypothetical team may be represented by individuals already on the Grand City task force and/or representatives from a different specialization area in your own district or locale.

Research evidence-based strategies for working collaboratively with colleagues when enacting change and for establishing buy-in from other professionals during the change process.
Read the Marsh & Farrell (2015) and Sterett & Irizarry (2015) articles regarding data-driven decision making. Consider how you might work collaboratively with the members of your cross-specialization team to use the data to guide decisions to address the issues outlined in your action plan.

Assignment Task Part 1

Write a 1 ½ page post of the following

A brief explanation of your specialization (Early Childhood Education) and the action plan you outlined in your Module 2 Discussion 1 post.
The members of your hypothetical, cross-specialization team you will need to collaborate with to help initiate the change process you outlined in Module 2 Discussion 1. Explain why you selected these specific individuals and how their expertise will support needed changes in your specialization.

Reminder: The members of your hypothetical team may be represented by individuals already on the Grand City task force and/or from a different specialization area in your own district or locale.

Two evidence-based strategies for working collaboratively with your team members. Be sure to explain how the strategies will establish buy-in from your team and support meaningful change for your specialization and the Grand City community.
How you will use on-going data to inform collaborative decision making and make continued positive changes within your specialization. Be sure to support your explanation with reference to the existing Grand City data.

For this Discussion, and all scholarly writing in this course and throughout your program, you will be required to use APA style and provide reference citations.

Assignment Task Part 2

Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts, noting the leaders and issues they have addressed.

Respond to at least two of your colleaguesin a 150 word response each:

by explaining how a task force member or specialization might also support your colleagues’ plans for change.
Support your explanation with reference to resources or examples from your own professional experiences.