I am a huge advocate for using book clubs as a way to collaborate about topics both in and outside the classroom. Sharing ideas through personal experiences allows my colleagues and I to connect with one another. We were reading Rick Wormeli's "Fair Isn't Always Equal", as we debated proper and useless forms of assessment in today's classroom.
"Through others, we become ourselves." - Lev Vygotsky
Collaborating with colleagues is probably the easiest and most beneficial way to learn about new resources, to hear fresh ideas, and stay connected to the school community. However, its importance goes beyond the simple sharing of tools, resources, and lesson plans. Collaboration influences our perspectives and ideas.
Being fully immersed in a classroom has taught me the importance of collaborating with the grade level teachers, administrators, and even parents. Sharing resources with the grade-level allows for innovative lessons and a chance for great minds to team up. Being able to work with administrators, who have maybe been in the field of teaching longer, gives me a fresh perspective on teaching practices that I may not have heard about and could possibly incorporate into the classroom. Furthermore, parent collaboration may lead to more insight on a child's behavior or progress in the classroom. Having the assistance at home and in my school community is truly rewarding.