14 Tips for Encouraging Collaboration in Education with Paraprofessionals, School Administrators, and Parents

Educators often look to instructional research, such as the science of reading to improve learner outcomes. In addition, other instructional conditions, such as the power of collaboration in education, shape a school’s culture by including contributions by administrators, paraprofessionals, and families. 

So let’s dig into why collaboration in education is important:

The Power of Collaboration in Education

Research consistently shows that collaborative practices in education lead to better learner outcomes.  According to a study by the National Education Association (NEA), schools with high levels of collaboration in education among staff see significant improvements in learner performance, especially in inclusive settings where learners with complex needs learn alongside their peers.  The NEA highlights that collaborative practices among educators help in developing innovative teaching strategies and improve educational outcomes for all learners.  These practices not only enhance academic outcomes, but also encourage a more inclusive and supportive environment. 

Benefits of collaboration include:

1. Enhanced Learner Achievement: Teamwork among educators makes sure lessons are on point, boosting learner success. 
2. Improved Teacher Satisfaction:  Educators report higher job satisfaction when they feel supported by their colleagues and administrators. 
3. Stronger Community Ties:  Involving parents/caregivers in the educational process fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility for the learners’ success.

Common Challenges and Tips to Overcome Them

Challenge 1:  Communication Breakdowns

Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful collaboration in education. However, keeping communication clear and consistent can be a challenge, especially when school gets hectic. Between juggling different schedules, handling unexpected issues, and managing a heavy workload, it’s easy for messages to get mixed up or lost. Additionally, with everyone using different tools and methods to communicate, things can quickly become chaotic.  

Tips to Overcome Communication Breakdowns:

1. Regular Meetings: Schedule consistent meetings to discuss student progress, address concerns, and plan interventions. This is a critical step to take to ensure positive outcomes.  Weekly team meetings or biweekly check-ins can keep everyone on the same page.  
2. Use Digital Tools: Utilize platforms like Google Classroom, Google Chat, or Slack to facilitate real-time communication and updates. This ensures that all team members have access to the latest information and have access to re-read information as a refresher.
3. Open Dialogue: Encourage an open-door policy where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and feedback without fear of judgment. Everyone needs to check themselves at the door, ask questions and be open. This fosters a culture of trust and collaboration in education.
4. Use a Consistent Instructional Framework. Educators who use the same literacy instruction framework will find collaboration in education easier as they will have a common understanding of instructional strategies being implemented and have opportunities to share carry-over between classrooms, between grade levels, and between schools.

Example of Success: Participating in the on-demand webinar series “The IEP: Creating Clear and Effective Plans” by Michael McCormick, M.S., LBS, provided a foundational understanding of the IEP process. Emphasizing the importance of a strategic start for a successful IEP journey, this webinar offered insights into effective and defensible strategies for initiating the IEP process. As a result, it aimed to create a collaborative and informed environment from the beginning, significantly enhancing the coordination and effectiveness of educational teams. Several examples of the growth and importance are shared.

Challenge 2: Undefined Roles and Responsibilities

When roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined, it can lead to confusion and inefficiency.

Tips to Overcome Role Confusion:

1. Clear Expectations: Ensure that everyone understands their roles. Paraprofessionals, for instance, should know how they can best support the teacher and the students.  Keep reviewing roles so you can quickly make any adjustments and be sure to communicate these changes to all parties involved.
2. Collaborative Planning: Involve all stakeholders in the planning process. This includes setting goals and determining the best approaches to meet those goals. Be specific, set timelines, and establish milestone checkpoints along the way.
3. Role-Specific Training: Provide training that focuses on the specific roles of each team member. This helps clarify expectations and enhances each member’s ability to contribute effectively.  When the team is empowered with role clarity, everyone is actively engaged in a common goal which will lead to success throughout the year.

Example of Success: Karen Starr, M.Ed, Special Education Coordinator at Community Consolidated School District 59, highlighted significant changes in how paraprofessionals are now supporting classroom management. Instead of simply redirecting student behavior and ensuring they stay on task, paraprofessionals are now actively involved in preparing materials, supporting instruction, gathering and observing data, and making a daily impact on reading instruction.

Challenge 3: Parental Engagement

Engaging parents as active partners in their child’s education can be difficult due to various barriers such as time constraints, lack of resources, and language barriers.

Tips to Overcome Parental Engagement Challenges:

Regular Updates: Keep parents informed about their child’s progress and involve them in decision-making processes. Regular newsletters, emails, and parent-teacher meetings can help.  Build this into your schedule and hold yourself accountable to do it consistently.

Workshops and Training: Offer workshops for parents to help them support their children’s learning at home. Topics can include literacy support, homework strategies, and understanding IEPs.  

Flexible Communication Options: Provide multiple ways for parents to communicate with the school, such as phone calls, emails, and in-person meetings. Flexibility can accommodate parents’ varying schedules and preferences.  Start each school year by asking each parent/caregiver to share the best communication method, time/date and get their commitment to respond in a timely manner.

Celebrate Success: Taking time to celebrate success is one of the most impactful ways to build relationships with parents. Call them to share a story where their child made a difference, achieved a goal, or made you laugh. If parents feel you truly care about their child, you will establish a strong connection. Be sure to have group celebrations as well whether it is the end of a literacy unit, a special project, or the end of a quarter. Sharing success will establish a community. 

Example of Success: At Washington Elementary School District in Arizona, implementing monthly parent workshops and regular progress updates led to increased parental involvement. Parents reported feeling more connected and engaged, which positively impacted student motivation and performance.

Practical Tips for Better Collaboration in Education

1. Set Common Goals: Align your team around shared objectives. This ensures everyone is working towards the same outcomes and can celebrate successes together.
2. Encourage Flexibility: Be open to adjusting plans based on feedback and changing circumstances. Flexibility is key to effective problem-solving.
3. Acknowledge Successes: Celebrate the milestones and successes of your collaborative efforts. This boosts morale and reinforces the value of teamwork.
4. Build Trust: Trust is the foundation of any successful collaboration in education. Invest time in building relationships and trust among team members.

At Building Wings, we are committed to fostering and supporting environments where collaboration in education is not just encouraged but is a fundamental part of our approach to education. By working together with paraprofessionals, administrators, and parents, we can create a supportive network that empowers every learner to soar to new heights. Tools like Readtopia, ReadtopiaGO, and News Currents support these collaborative efforts by providing comprehensive, differentiated literacy instruction that caters to the diverse needs of learners. These programs offer structured, research-based resources that facilitate teamwork among educators and ensure consistent, high-quality instruction for learners with complex learning needs. Through these collaborative tools, we can enhance educational outcomes and create inclusive, engaging learning environments for all learners.

For more information on our programs and how we can support your school’s collaborative efforts, please visit the Building Wings website or contact our team.

Together, let’s build a future where every learner has the wings to fly and we promote collaboration in education.  

Jeanmarie Jacoby is the Implementation Director for Building Wings. Jeanmarie is an educator who has worked with learners of diverse ages and abilities, from preschool through college.  Throughout her 40-year career, Jeanmarie has supported educators with professional development and written hundreds of training presentations that support literacy.  She currently lives in Portugal, in an office overlooking the beautiful landscape. You can follow her on LinkedIn and X.

Trisha Johnson has been an advocate for learners for the last 26 years and now serves as the president of Building Wings.  She believes that ALL Means ALL and that all learners can learn reading, writing, and communication skills.  She splits her time between Illinois and South Carolina.  You can follow her on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.

Read more about collaboration in education:

Collaboration with Teachers and Paraprofessionals