Creating High-Functioning Teams in Schools

Teaching is often viewed as a "solo gig," but the work of student learning is far too heavy for any one person to carry alone. In this episode, SREB Senior Instructional Coach Daniel Rock sits down with Leadership Coaches Erin Anderson-Williams and Susan Simpson to discuss the transition from isolated classrooms to collaborative school cultures.

Our guests dive into the essential traits of high-functioning teams, the difference between intentional and organic collaboration and how leaders can intervene when team dynamics turn toxic.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Power of Self-Awareness: Why every team member must understand their specific role, strengths and blind spots to reach a common goal.
• Organic vs. Intentional Teaming: Exploring how teams form naturally through proximity and how leaders can intentionally design groups to build teacher capacity and retention.
• Avoiding "Team Fails": Identifying common pitfalls, such as mandating meetings without a clear "why" or assuming teachers instinctively know how to collaborate without modeling.
• Intervention Strategies for Toxic Teams: How to use norms, common purposes and conversation protocols to rebuild professional respect and ensure equity of voice.
• Distributed Leadership: The benefits of rotating leadership roles and allowing those with the best skillset—not just the most seniority—to "run the play."

The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce.

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