The Characteristics of an Effective School Team

Schools can rise and fall according to the strength of their teams.  Well functioning leaders and their teams can be essential for the continuity of an educational institution.  Effective teams strengthen leadership, improve teaching and learning as well as nurturing relationships within a school’s system. Team building and  its leadership  can synergistically secure the district’s achievement both academically and socially.

Why do School Teams Matter?

Firstly, strong teams are imperative in retaining and supporting teachers.  In school districts with low staff turnover teachers report being connected to colleagues and supported by them.  They also feel as though they are actually part of a team that have a mission together.  Public education is at the forefront these days and we need supports and backings like strong educational teams to guarantee emotional and academic resilience.  But this resilience is not just limited to students alone.

Effective teams also aid in the learning we get from each other.  The ability to achieve is far greater than if the task was taken on alone.  Individual strengths within the teams are recognized and exploited thus inspiring and challenging team individuals to be the best educators they can possibly be.  This approach is usually taken on for huge projects i.e transforming different aspects of schools.

What makes a good team?

Here are some key points in attaining a successful team:

1. A good team knows its purpose: It is not sufficient to just say “We are part of the seventh grade team.” It is just not enough to know that the teams are there but also recognize that they are there to challenge one another and learn from each other to achieve fruitful outcomes.  It is a mission that they are involved in.   They have vision as to how they want the environment to be.  There is relevance and  meaning in it.
2. A good team makes sure that there is good space and atmosphere for learning:  Schools need to have teams who like to learn with and from each other. With learning comes the opportunity to take risks, make mistakes and be able to ask the hard questions needed to be able to make the endeavor valuable for all.
3. In a good team there is healthy discussion:  This is essential in a such an environment.  Constructive ideas and disagreements pushes teachers and staff to push opinions, conflicts and concepts.  In turn, creating a setting conducive for success.
4. There is a level of trust.  When there are any disagreements, it’s easily managed.  People have respect for one another and listen to each other.  There is also someone who oversees the decision making process and every makes an equitable contribution towards the process.
5. There is a representative and leader for every grade level.  There is always a person or group of people who are in charge.  There is planning the is developed in order for the system to work and be efficacious.