NCTAF's Learning Teams Initiatives

In today's flat world, teamwork is the hallmark of success. There is a growing recognition that teaching, even good teaching, is better when teachers have the support if their colleagues and opportunities for continual reflection, inquiry, problem solving and learning together. Groups of teachers engaged in this kind of work on a regular basis are the learning communities that make good schools great. NCTAF is engaged in several initiatives to promote the importance of learning teams:

• Team Up for 21st Century Teaching and Learning

  With the support of the Pearson Foundation, NCTAF released this pulication containing the latest research on how learning teams can positively affect school culture, teacher retention, teacher effectiveness, and student achievement. This research is supported by three case studies written by practitioners in the field using teamwork to create successful learning cultures.

  
  
• NASA 21st Century Learning Teams
  NCTAF is working in partnership with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and two Maryland school districts to support teaching teams made up of Goddard scientists and high school earth science, math and technology teachers.
  
  

• Learning Teams: Creating What's Next

  NCTAF recommends the concept of Cross-Generational Learning Teams, in which experienced veterans could stay in teaching longer by working with new teachers, providing mentoring, coaching and instructional assistance that will help to improve student performance and reduce attrition rates for new teachers.

• NCTAF Knowledge Synthesis on STEM Teachers in Professional Learning Communities

With a grant from the National Science Foundation, NCTAF will be working in partnership with WestEd in this two-year project, which began in September 2008. NCTAF and WestEd are evaluating existing knowledge about STEM teachers in professional learning communities.

• Teachers Learning in Networked Communities (TLINC)

Supported by a grant from the Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education, TLINC allows K-16 to develop and support a variety of online learning communities to enhance the progression of teacher learning from preservice, through induction and early teaching, and beyond.

• NCTAF/PBS/MetLife Foundation Learning Teams Initiative
  NCTAF has partnered with PBS to host a series of regional forums, which showcase videos of schools that have learning teams. All of the forums were held between March and June 2007.

• NCTAF/ Pearson Achievement Solutions Learning Teams Recognition
  A collaborative project recognizing learning teams along the continuum nationwide, and sharing promising practices.

• Advisors to Microsoft's U.S. Innovative Teachers Forum
  A Microsoft initiative which promotes the importance of learning teams and efforts to grow, promote, and replicate successful programs.