Simultaneous Improvement of Schooling and the Education of Teachers: Creating a Collaborative Consciousness

Abstract

Based on her experience in creating a professional development center-a school-university project to improve middle schools and create appropriate professional programs for middle school teachers-theauthor examines three dysfunctional attitudes in such collaborative efforts: the Trophy Mentality; the Education-as-Entrepreneurship Mindset; and the "I'm Okay, You're Okay" Frame of Mind. To change the three attitudes, the author suggests using three tools: careful selection of incoming participants, education for skills and attitudes of collaboration, and socialization to the collaborative roles through role modeling and rewards.