Professional Collaboration with Purpose: Teacher Learning Towards Equitable and Excellent Schools [Hardcover]

Building on both cutting-edge research and professional learning practice, Amanda Datnow and Vicki Park explore how professional collaboration can support deeper learning for students and teachers alike. While many schools and systems support teacher collaboration, they often fall short of their intended goals of improving teaching and learning. This book provides concrete guidance for creating the conditions for collaboration in which teachers are moved towardrather than repelledby joint work. The authors explore how collaborative settings can provide a space for working through the inevitable challenges that accompany the changing nature of teaching in the age of accountability and show the motivation, inspiration, and energy that teachers personally--and collectively--gain from collaborating to improve student learning. Ultimately, they show how teacher empowerment towards working together builds equitable and excellent learning environments.

Chapter 1: The Imperative for Professional Collaboration Chapter 2: Collaborating with Purpose for Equity and Excellence Chapter 3: Collaborating with Professionalism and Coherence Chapter 4: Collaborating for Deep Learning Chapter 5: Collaborating with Shifting Policies Chapter 6: Collaborating through Conflict  Chapter 7: Leading Professional Collaboration

This book explores how collaborative settings provide a space for working through the inevitable challenges that accompany teaching in the age of accountability and show the energy that teachers gain from collaborating. Ultimately, they show how teacher empowerment towards working together builds equitable and excellent learning environments.

Amanda Datnow is Professor in the Department of Education Studies and Associate Dean of Social Sciences at the University of California, San Diego.

Vicki Park is AlS@