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Growing opportunities

Collaboration nurtures and supports early learning educators

By Katie Brissenden-Smith, Ana Moreno, Lisa Peloquin, Judy Radiloff and Jenna Wachtel
June 2018
Vol. 38 No. 3
How can teachers move from working in isolation within ineffective systems to building thriving, collaborative teaching environments in which they are supported and inspired to work with their colleagues in communities focused on mutual professional growth? In our work as early learning instructional coaches, we have witnessed the ways professional learning cultures can be nurtured with intentional strategies to develop community, support reflective practices, and accelerate teachers’ collective professional growth. Here, we share the real-life experiences of three communities of early learning professionals who have achieved just that. Their stories demonstrate how educators can create and sustain a culture of continuous professional growth and collaboration that results in access to high-quality education for every student. At some point in our careers as educators, most of

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Authors

Katie Brissenden-Smith, Ana Moreno, Lisa Peloquin, Judy Radiloff, and Jenna Wachtel

Kaytie Brissenden-Smith (kbsmith@newteachercenter.org) is associate program consultant, Ana Moreno (amoreno@nationalequityproject.org) is former associate program director, Lisa Peloquin (lpeloquin@newteachercenter.org) is instructional designer, Judy Radiloff (judy.radiloff@sonoma.edu) is associate program consultant, and Jenna Wachtel (jwachtel@newteachercenter.org) is director of early learning at the New Teacher Center.

ABOUT THE NEW TEACHER CENTER

New Teacher Center (NTC) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving student learning by accelerating the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders. Founded by teachers in 1998, NTC works in conjunction with school districts, state policymakers, and educators across the country to provide all educators with the support and resources necessary to succeed from their first day to their last. For more information: www.newteachercenter.org.

References

REFERENCE
Learning Forward. (2011). Standards for Professional Learning. Oxford, OH: Author.


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