Steve Jobs once said, “Great things in business are never done by one person” therefore great things done within the classroom are not done individually. Collaboration is the key in creating a culture that brings down the walls that may divide us as individuals. It is my belief that the best learning and growth in knowledge happens when students collaborate. Not only is it important for students to collaborate in education but it is also important as a teacher to collaborate with others. It is important for teachers to collaborate, because we must also continue to cultivate our own knowledge within the field. This learning is best done amongst other teachers because then we have multiple perspectives and resources to utilize for our own growth.

            One way I promote collaboration within my classroom is by allowing students to work together on projects. This collaboration happens daily within our classroom across content areas.  Students are welcome to collaborate on almost any project or activity. Students have collaborated when engineering boats in Science, discussing main idea and supporting details in Language Arts, or working with their Math partner in Math. The promotion of collaboration across content areas helps students build upon each other’s knowledge.

            Another way I promote collaboration within my classroom amongst my students is through gamification. Gamification is essential in my classroom because not only does it promote collaboration and team work but also increases engagement and motivation. I create games that tie into standards and promote team work!

            I enjoy collaborating with other teachers as they provide perspectives I do not have. Collaborating with other educators has been very beneficial within my classroom. I have collaborated with counselors, special education teachers, and other teachers within my school to gain insight on lesson plans, behavior management, and overall questions I have had. It’s a pleasure to collaborate with others to grow as an educator and model a culture of collaboration.