We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. And whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

When life feels challenging, educators benefit from working with teams of people who provide mutual support and encouragement.

Margie Carter, co-author of From Teaching to Thinking, describes her work with directors and teachers who ask for help in strengthening staff teamwork. She explains that when she is “working with programs to build strong teams and the ability to collaborate, I focus on recognizing key indicators that can be found in a program.”

Here are the five indicators of teamwork Carter describes in the book, Developing People in Early Childhood Organizations:

• “Clear Communications;
• Respectful Interactions and Demonstrations of Trust;
• Using Conflicts to Discover and Negotiate Perspectives;
• Building on Each Other’s Ideas and Strengths;
• Reliability and Responsibility.”

Note: We have recently been asked where people can find the free “Educating For Democracy” resources provided by Ann Pelo, Margie Carter and others. They are available on the Exchange website here.

And here’s one more resource to help you find some support and community:

Join the WoFo Global Café for a lively conversation: “Creating Safe and Vibrant Intergenerational Work Environments.” A vibrant panel will discuss effective ways to promote active listening, leverage generational strengths, create psychological safety, and build relationships.

Join on February 4 at 11:00 AM New York City/EDT Time to share your own experiences in a safe and supportive space.