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Description
The project is important for collaboration and shared learning between teachers in schools. If educators cannot collaborate, then they cannot teach this skill to their pupils, and yet the ability to collaborate and learn together is the basis of civic competences important for the development of democracy. That is why we want to provide leaders with the skills and sharing space to support and guide educators in collaboration through workshops. We will then provide selected educators with training in such skills so that they can become leaders of collaboration and collaborative learning and can support this process from below.
Summary of project results
The nature of teachers'' work has changed a lot in the last 20 years. Whereas previously the most important thing was a thorough knowledge of the subject a teacher taught, now, quite different competences and skills, which are often lacking, are becoming more important. Our project responds to the lack of competences for collaboration, self-reflection and collaborative learning. Collaboration between teachers is important within a school, between school and community, including parents, but also between schools each other. If teachers cannot collaborate, they cannot teach students this skill, which is important for building a functioning democratic society.Without this cooperation, neither the daily learning of pupils in classrooms will be effective, nor will the planned curriculum reform be successful, nor will systemic transformation of schools from places where "knowledge is passed from generation to generation to places where the future is created" (Fullan, 2021). As a result the lack of collaboration in schools will lead to widening disparities between teachers, which will lead to further underdevelopment of the affected regions (Analysis of Challenges of Education in the Czech Republic, Eduzměna). Our proposed method of solving this problem is in line with current strategic documents, in particular the StrategyEducation Policy of the Czech Republic until 2030+. When preparing the project, in addition to the above-mentioned sources, we drew mainly on our own experience of cooperation with schools, including the results of evaluations we have carried out.
A1 - The internal capacity of the organisation was strengthened - a vision was formulated and strategic planning workshops were held, the strategic partnerships were established to exchange common know-how and prepare joint projects, a new visual identity was created and publicity of the organisation was supported. A2 - School leaders (directors and deputy directors) were supported in creating an environment of cooperation and collegiality. 6 workshops of 8 hours each were held.A3 - 38 teachers were trained in 96 hours of courses on Coaching and Mentoring in Education. They gained competencies to become collaborative learning leaders in schools and foster collegial support. A4 - Practicing mentors were supported through workshops (6x8 hours) and based on their suggestions we created 2 methodological tools suitable for their work - Mentoring cards.
A1 - formulated vision and strategic planning workshops - clarifying the strengths and weaknesses of the organization, planning the current direction, establishing strategic partnerships - creating space for exchange of know-how, preparing new joint projects, new identity - creating a graphic manual to unify the identity, ensuring better publicity for the organization.
A2 - the competences of school leaders (directors and deputy directors) have been promoted, which has had a positive impact in schools in creating a safe environment for learning, promoting collegial collaboration and moving the schools involved towards a learning organisation.
A3 - teachers gained new competencies in the course Coaching and Mentoring in Education, which contributed positively to their professional self-esteem and engagement in processes that support collegial collaboration and shift the quality of teaching within their own schools.
A4 - Existing mentors were supported in gaining new competencies that will help them to spread collegial collaboration not only within their own school but also to other schools within the region. The added value is the positive impact on the quality of teaching of these teachers.