Teacher Collaboration for Professional Learning contains the
essential information, tools, and examples teachers and school
leaders need to create, manage, and sustain successful
collaborative groups. Designed to be a hands-on resource, this
practical guide shows you how to:

* Advocate for collaborative teacher learning

* Develop and sustain collaborative research groups

* Organize and conduct productive research projects

* Address issues of ethics, leadership, and group dynamics

* Evaluate and sustain collaborative learning activities

Based on data from a major survey, Teacher Collaboration for
Professional Learning features extensive case examples from
model research communities collaborating within schools, across
districts, in partnership with universities, and as online
networks. The book also offers a wealth of reproducible templates
as well as reflection questions and exercises?invaluable tools for
organizing study groups.

Cynthia A. Lassonde, Ph.D., a former elementary teacher, is associate professor of Elementary Education and Reading at the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Oneonta. Susan E. Israel, Ph.D., is an independent researcher, writer, and literacy consultant. Lassonde and Israel have written many books and articles on teacher research, teaching and learning, and literacy.

Teacher Collaboration for Professional Learning

Teacher Collaboration for Professional Learning contains the essential information, tools, and examples teachers and school leaders need to create, manage, and sustain successful collaborative groups. Designed to be a hands-on resource, this practical guide shows you how to:

• Advocate for collaborative teacher learning
• Develop and sustain collaborative research groups
• Organize and conduct productive research projects
• Address issues of ethics, leadership, and group dynamics
• Evaluate and sustain collaborative learning activities

Based on data from a major survey, Teacher Collaboration for Professional Learning features extensive case examples from model research communities collaborating within schools, across districts, in partnership with universities, and as online networks. The book also offers a wealth of reproducible templates as well as reflection questions and exercises— invaluable tools for organizing study groups.

Praise for Teacher Collaboration for Professional Learning

"This volume covers everything teachers need to know to initiate collaborative research. The authors explain the pro- cesses of collaborative inquiry in engaging, reader-friendly, easy-to-understand language; it is an inspiring, enjoyable read that promotes a 'we can do it' spirit of inquiry."
—JANET RICHARDS, Ph.D., professor, University of South Florida, Tampa

"I wish I had such a valuable resource when I was establishing and coordinating a teacher-research group several years ago! Much has been written about how to do action research in the classroom and schools, but little has been written about how to establish and sustain collaborative efforts, as Lassonde and Israel have done here."
—BARBARA DAVIS, professor, co-director, Teacher Fellows Program, Texas State University–San Marcos

"Lassonde and Israel have written an outstanding book that provides powerful stories and practical strategies for teachers to start and sustain collaborative learning communities as part of their own professional development. This book is a must read for teachers and administrators who are looking to build and be a part of a community of inquirers."
—WILLIAM BINTZ, co-chair of the International Reading Association's Teaching as a Researching Profession Special Interest Group and associate professor, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio

Zusammenfassung
Teacher Collaboration for Professional Learning contains the essential information, tools, and examples teachers and school leaders need to create, manage, and sustain successful collaborative groups. Designed to be a hands-on resource, this practical guide shows you how to:

• Advocate for collaborative teacher learning
• Develop and sustain collaborative research groups
• Organize and conduct productive research projects
• Address issues of ethics, leadership, and group dynamics
• Evaluate and sustain collaborative learning activities

List of Figures, Tables, and Exhibits v

Foreword by Janice F. Almasi vii

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xiii

The Authors xv

The Contributors xvii

Part 1 Why Support Collaborative Research? 1

Chapter 1 Improving Teacher Professional Learning 3

Chapter 2 Initiating Educational Improvements 13

Part 2 Building a Professional Learning Community 27

Chapter 3 Understanding the Inquiry Process 29

Chapter 4 Getting Started 39

Chapter 5 Staying Productive 65

Part 3 Collaborating Effectively 75

Chapter 6 Ethical Considerations: Improving Group Dynamics 77

Chapter 7 Leadership Strategies for Collaborative Support Groups 89

Part 4 Model Learning Communities in Action 97

Chapter 8 School-Based and Partnership Communities 99

Chapter 9 Networking and Online Collaborations 119

Chapter 10 A Districtwide Model: The Fairfax County Public Schools Teacher Researcher Network, Contributed by Gail V. Ritchie 129

Epilogue: Supporting and Sustaining Professional Collaboration 145

Appendixes

Appendix A Tools and Templates 149

Stage 1: Getting to Know Invited Members 150

Brainstorming Chart: Whom to Invite to the Group 152

Stage 2: Sharing Perspectives and Talents 154

Tentative Agenda for Meetings 155

Meeting Minutes 156

Roles Signup Sheet 157

Stage 3: Supporting Each Other's Efforts and Learning 158

Stage 4: Exploring the Possibilities 159

Ongoing Group Evaluation 160

Final Reflections 162

Stage 5: Ongoing Conversations 163

Appendix B Reflection Questions 165

Appendix C Study Group Exercises 169

Appendix D Valuable Resources 171

Appendix E Teacher Research Survey 173

References 177

Index 181