Teamwork for Success! The Parent-Professional Relationship

Teamwork for Success! The Parent-Professional

Relationship

presented by

Linda Carmona-Bell&

Diana Neri

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Goals and ExpectationsGoals and Expectations

• To understand “what is collaboration and a collaborative team environment”

• To understand the components of working effectively in a collaborative team

• To increase collaboration skills that will foster positive family-school communication

What is Collaboration?What is Collaboration?

Think about a few words that you associate with

“collaboration.”

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ActivityActivity• DIRECTIONS:

• Think about a situation when you had to collaborate. What did you do right or what did you do that you thought was wrong?

• Think about your actions.

• Hold onto this memory for later in the training.

Why Collaborate?Why Collaborate?

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Why Collaborate?Why Collaborate?

•It is through the work of collaborative teams that students with disabilities are fully included in typical activities and routines and beyond to extracurricular activities.

•It is not always easy.

•Working through differences and finding areas of agreement and compromise are necessary to meet the ultimate goal of inclusion and meaningful participation for the student.

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Effective Inclusion involves

good collaboration and

communication among

teachers, family members,

administrators,

paraeducators, and

community resources.

The Collaborative Team

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So…So…

What is a Collaborative What is a Collaborative Team?Team?

“For the Birds”www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJzQiemCIuY

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• A collaborative team has a common language

• Sometimes collaboration can be mean-spirited and ineffective. We want our teams to be positive and supportive.

What is a Collaborative What is a Collaborative Team?Team?

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Finish this sentence… Finish this sentence… A Collaborative Team is A Collaborative Team is

not…not…

Jot down your thoughtsin the CHAT area!

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A Collaboratve Team is A Collaboratve Team is not…not…

• A bully pulpit

• A dictatorship-monopolizing conversation

• A close-minded forum without hearing and listening to one another

• Where multiple people speak at the same time

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Guided ViewingGuided Viewing

As you view the video, make note of specific examples of collaboration.

Also, note ways you have used these skills in working with your team.

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• Everyone on the team has a valuable contribution to make to the team and to support your child.

• The collaborative team is often the IEP team, and should include teachers, family members, administrators, related service and support personnel, paraeducators, community resources, and, of course, the student.

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The Importance of Team The Importance of Team CompositionComposition

Consulting Team Members

Expanded Team Members

Core Team Members

• Who should be on the team? • How many members are there on the

team?• Is anyone missing from the team?

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What is my roleWhat is my roleon this team?on this team?

Team Specific Roles should:

•Reflect the strengths and talents of the individual member•Vary to share responsibilities•Be identified and filled•Be voluntary

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Think about…Think about…

What strengths do youbring to the team?

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Collaborative Teaming is aCollaborative Teaming is atransdisciplinary approach totransdisciplinary approach toteam functioning that is. . . team functioning that is. . .

• based on mutual goals within a framework of similar beliefs

• requires parity among participants• depends on shared responsibility for

participation and decision making• requires shared responsibility for outcomes• requires that participants share their

resources• reflects voluntary relationships

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Characteristics of CollaborationCharacteristics of Collaboration

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CollaborativeCollaborativeTeamingTeaming

• The most important feature of a collaborative team is shared decision-making as they work toward a “common goal”.

• Establishing a “common goal” is central to successfully meeting the needs of a student.

• People working together to achieve a common goal or goals.

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Some Team ConflictSome Team Conflictis to be Expected…is to be Expected…

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Conflict:Conflict:

“The struggle that occurs when

individuals, interdependent with

others, perceive that those others

are interfering with their goal

attainment.”

(Friend & Cook)

How Do You Collaborate?How Do You Collaborate?

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How Do You Collaborate?How Do You Collaborate?

• Acknowledge differences• Open discussion of each person’s

positions• Compromise

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One Strategy to One Strategy to CollaborateCollaborate

1. Clarify the purpose of all gathering together.2. What does the student need (academic,

environmental, etc…)? Just focus on the facts.

3. Identify the current options.4. Brainstorm (no judgment on suggestions).5. Review all options to see what meets the

student’s needs (see #2).6. Choose the best fit for the student and family.

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What CanWhat CanGo Wrong?Go Wrong?

• Alternatives are not considered carefully.

• Minority opinions are silenced.

• Disagreements among members.

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What CanWhat CanGo Right?Go Right?

An effective team can...

•Stimulate team interest in the student•Allow for new instructional ideas.•Lead to creative problem solving.•Improve decision making skills.•Build stronger team bonds.•Create ownership and commitment for decisions.

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CollaborationCollaboration

It’s all about

communication

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Active Listening

Getting beyond egos

Empathizing

and…

Keys to Effective Keys to Effective CommunicationCommunication

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Ongoing CommunicationOngoing Communication

If families are to be involved as true partners in their children's education, it is important to provide on-going opportunities to hear their concerns and comments as well as providing them information. Moles, 1996

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Effective communications Effective communications builds TRUST amongbuilds TRUST among

Team Members.Team Members.

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Think about how your Think about how your team has established team has established

trust.trust.

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ActivityActivity

• Step 1: Recall the personal situationfrom the beginning of this session.

• Step 2: Determine what you likeabout what you did.

• Step 3: Determine what you couldhave done differently.

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““We will surely get to our We will surely get to our destination if we join destination if we join

hands.”hands.”

Kyi, Aung San Suu

Human Rights Activist

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ANY QUESTIONSANY QUESTIONS