The "messiness" of collaboration . . .

Kimberly's comment on my last post I believe is so true and one of the reasons why our profession continues to be more isolated than collaborative. She said:


True collaboration is messy and takes a lot of time (at least at first as teams learn to really work together, not just assign tasks, etc.). I think we often bag the collaborative approach (or at least only give it lip service) because whenever we bring together a group we are very mindful of how busy everyone is, and so we go with the fastest approach, not necessarily the best approach.


Once again, the issue of time combined with the sense of urgency that teachers bring to the work can become the driver for how we approach and accomplish our work. The issue of balancing process with content is also a part of this "messiness" inherent in our profession. For many of us, dialogue and skillful conversation take too much time, time that could and should be spent on product development. We need to believe that we have accomplished something and that usually means we need to be able to see and feel it.


How many of us truly feel that we can accomplish more by working individually or at most with a partner than we can with a grade level or department? I often find myself in that situation though I have come to understand and accept that I am much more effective when I work in collaboration with colleagues than I am individually. Fortunately, I have the privilege of working with colleagues who have the experience and expertise to be effective in a collaborative environment that has resulted in "feelings" of accomplishment even when we have not completed our task or have a tangible product to show for our time. Yet, that hasn't changed the "feeling" at times of wanting to just shut the door and get it done.


I believe that we need to find ways to "feel" successful collaboration because most of us change our beliefs and behaviors through a see/feel process. In her comment, Kimberly shares a positive experience working with students that she attributes to her teaching a skill set to the students. I share the belief that it is important to have a common understanding of what collaboration looks and sounds like and then to teach a communication skill set that will better position us to end these opportunities with a positive feeling about it. I also believe that this is happening throughout our school system as more and more of us acquire this understanding and skill set.


Our system has embraced the need for collaboration as evidenced by our consensus decision making model and use of staff development time. What is your experience with your grade level, department, or colleagues as it relates to collaboration? Do you leave "feeling" a sense of accomplishment and support and looking forward to the next opportunity? Or, are you in the collaborative meeting wishing you could just shut your door and get it done? What data are you using that results in the feeling that will then control your behavior and level of engagement in the process?