Chapter 6

Chapter 6 is an organization and management of collaborative school consultation.

Teacher burnout can come about from physical and emotional exhaustion. There a 3 basic components of burnout:

1.) Emotional exhaustion.
2.) Depersonalization.
3.) Reduced accomplishment.

Strategies for Reducing Stress:

1.) Talk to someone, give positive comment let it be known.
2.) Find a former teacher who was very important in your life and tell that person how much learned with his or her guidance.
3.) Schedule some time to be alone and reflect on your profession. Stick to that promised schedule.
4.) Laugh out loud.
5.) Move, stretch, jog.
6.) Play energetic, happy music. Classical music is best.
7.) Break the routine. Take a different route when driving to work.
8.) Keep a jar of little treats on your desk.
9.) Use reminders.
10.) Prevention and remediation of stress and burnout are the concern of the individual adult, not the family or friends or colleagues.

Time management tips:

1.) Analyze your current use of time.
2.) Establish your goals and priorities.
3.) Allocate your time and work.
4.) Use positive time management techniques.
5.) Review the results, rethink any problem areas, and reinforce successes.

Manage time and schedules in order to collaborate effectively is indeed one of the biggest challenges for co-educators. Here are some strategies that increase collaboration time:

• Bringing large groups of students together for speakers, films, or plays.
• Using volunteers such as grandparents, parents, etc.
• Hiring a "floating substitute."
• Having faculty vote to extend the instructional day twenty minutes for two days a week.

Conducting Efficient Meetings: 

• Fulfilling legal obligations ( such as an IEP meeting)
• Brainstorming for a need in order to generate many ideas.
• Problem-solving with several people in diverse roles to explore options.
• Building a team to make and implement educational decisions.

Organizing and Distributing Materials:

• Color-code electronic files and folders for schools.
• Keep an idea file of filler activities.
• Use tubs for storage of bulky materials.
• Have a retrieval box in a certain place for receiving borrowed items.
• Keep a check-out catalog so you will know where materials are.

Teacher Portfolios For Data Keeping and Accountability:

• Lesson plans that worked well.
• Video tapes of classroom activity highlights. 
• Sample tests
• Worksheets or packets that worked well
• Innovative teaching or grading techniques
• A sketch or photo of an unusual bulletin board so it won't be forgotten.
• List of professional books read and a mini-review
• Notes from parents or students that were reinforcing.

Modern technology can help in many different ways:

• Instant messaging
• Databases and information on student progress
• Notes
• Schedules-appointment calendar
• Managing student records
• Recording consultations and collaborations
• Preparing reports and other written products

TIPS FOR MANAGING AND ORGANIZING COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL CONSULTATION:

1.) Do not schedule yourself so tightly that you have no time for informal interactions and impromptu consultations.

2.) Furnish treats to colleagues often.

3.) Make concise checklists for procedural activities.

4.) Go to classroom teachers and ask them for help in their area of expertise.

5.) Promote instances of high quality consultation and collaboration.

6.) Become more visible, communicating informally with teachers of each classroom. 

7.) Always have an open ear.

8.) Be realistic and understanding about the demands that are placed upon classroom teachers, administrators, and parents.

9.) Keep school personnel wanting more consultation service, making it valuable.

10.) Do not expect a uniformly high level of acceptance and involvement from all.