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:

• 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.

• 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.