Article Abstract

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Volume 32, Number 1, October 2004

America’s Most Wanted: Teachers Who Collaborate

Dr. Carol Brown examines collaboration success stories to determine recurring themes and attributes that make for effective collaborative partnerships.

Abstract: Collaboration is a complex endeavor, valued by professionals and practitioners alike. Librarians, in particular, recognize the value of shared resources and exchange of ideas. There are many stories told by teacher-librarians relating successful projects between teachers, the teacher-librarian and other professionals in the school. Over a two-year period, Dr. Carol Brown collected stories from discussion groups, focus groups and individual interviews, reviewing and analyzing them for recurring themes related to successful collaboration. Three important attributes emerged: trust, mutual respect and commitment to a common goal. When each person has confidence in his or her ability to contribute to a shared vision, success is more likely to occur, and common goals will be reached.

Author bio: Dr. Carol A. Brown is assistant professor and program director in the Department of Librarianship, Educational Technology and Distance Instruction at East Carolina University. Her research interests include strategies for successful collaboration between technology and library professionals in K-12 schools. She can be reached at browncar@mail.ecu.edu