Moving from Teacher Isolation to Collaboration

Sharon Conley, PhD, is professor of education in the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education at University of California, Santa Barbara. Bruce S. Cooper, PhD, is professor of educational leadership and policy at Fordham University Graduate School of Education in New York City. Conley and Cooper are also the editors of Finding, Preparing, and Supporting School Leaders: Critical Issues, Useful Solutions; and Keeping and Improving Today's School Leaders: Retaining and Sustaining the Best.

• Table of ContentsPREFACE Bruce S. Cooper & Sharon ConleyChapter 1: Teaching as a Profession - and More: Why? and How? Bruce S. Cooper & Carolyn Brown Chapter 2: What has Prevented Teachers From Being Full Professionals? Mary Antony Bair Chapter 3: Rejuvenating Teacher Teams: Back to BasicsTerrence E. Deal & Donna RedmanChapter 4: Organizational Design in Support of Professional Learning Communities in One DistrictScott C. Bauer, S. David Brazer, Michelle Van Lare, & Robert L. SmithChapter 5: Influences on Teacher Sharing and CollaborationTanya F. Cook & Vivienne CollinsonChapter 6: Teaming to Break the Walls of Isolation: Collaboration in Elementary Grade Level TeamsJ. John Dewey & Sharon ConleyChapter 7: Collaboration in Middle School Departments: A Work Group Effectiveness PerspectiveSharon Conley & Frank C. GuerreroChapter 8: Professional Learning Communities Using Evidence: Examining Teacher Learning and Organizational Learning Michelle D. Van Lare, S. David Brazer, Scott C. Bauer, & Robert L. SmithChapter 9: Principal-Teacher Collaboration Vivienne CollinsonEPILOGUE: Collaboration, Professionalism, and School Quality for the Future Bruce S. Cooper ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS

In the face of unrelenting and often irrational challenges to public education, the teaching profession risks becoming less and less desirable to many. Conley and Cooper offer ways to strengthen both the professionalism and desirability of teaching. Their emphasis on collaboration and professionalism promises to enrich teachers' work and to strengthen schools as well.