Team-Based Professional Development

This book provides educators and administrators insights into the trials and successes of team-based, interactive K-16 learning following a ten-year research record. It reflects the reality of working with teams on site-based interactive learning while providing practical techniques on implementing and sustaining learning through team-based professional development. -- Beth Cornell, fine arts and humanities advisor, Pennsylvania Department of Education
Judith Witmer and Steven Melnick have written a practical guide to the team-based approach to professional development. This cleverly written resource has wide-ranging appeal to both administrators and teachers and is adaptable K-16. With its real classroom examples of a grass roots approach to integrated learning, the authors present the good, the bad, and the ugly of team teaching. The book contains concise, useable guidelines for success in team building and its effects on teaching and learning. The information is ready for immediate use in your classroom. Even those who have participated in team approaches in the past will benefit from the wisdom and experience shared by Witmer and Melnick. -- George Barbolish, Madonna Munley, and Pete Regeski, the team from Mountain View Junior-Senior High School, Kingsley, PA
Teaching is sometimes a lonely job. The classroom door closes, and the teacher is left in his or her own universe. Teaming allows an isolating job to become a one of collaboration and collegiality, where teachers work as equal partners. Sparks from other colleagues blaze into a forest fire, consuming not only teachers, but also students. The energy is infectious. Students also begin to understand the universal connections—all learning is related. Math and science are not divorced from language arts and history, but are different sides of the same cube. And collaboration not only energizes. It comforts, it encourages, it forms lifelong friendships. Excited teachers, enthusiastic teachers, bonded teachers create excited, enthusiastic and bonded students. -- Donna Baker, English teacher and KIF team leader, Conneaut Valley High School (PA)
This is a book for all education professionals. As a school-improvement tool, Witmer and Melnick's vision helps teachers and administrators manage change and growth. As a process for reform, it is an important consideration for current practitioners and those who prepare teacher candidates in our colleges and universities. Given their arguments' clarity, the real question left unanswered is 'Why not?' -- Vince Rizzo, director, Howard Gardner School for Discovery, Scranton, PA