Cooperation Between Teachers as A Key Point in School Performance

Menada Petro
"Aleksandër "Moisiu University Durrës

Abstract

This article examines the level of cooperation between teachers within the school where they work. To implement successful educational programs, school reforms are increasingly addressing the collaboration that occurs among teachers at multiple levels (Howden & Kopiec, 2002; Inger, 1993a). Also, it is thought that this type of cooperation has its impact not only on the teacher’s performance, but also on the performance and results of the students. In all reforms in education or in all the recommendations given, emphasis is placed on the structural side of the system and the way the process works, but without considering the human and social elements, such as culture, school climate and human relations. In our schools, today we talk about teacher-pupil, teacher-parent and vice versa relationships in both cases, as well as the school-community relationship. Of course, these relationships are very important and significant for the school, but it seems clear that an equally important element has been forgotten, the teacher-teacher relationship, the creation of a good climate of cooperation and the exchange of experiences between them. This article is part of a more in-depth study. The article is based on the review of the literature, as well as its evaluation, bringing contemporary studies as well as different viewpoints regarding these relationships. Also, the article gives a general picture of this cooperation in Albanian schools, gathered from the long observation and focus groups realized for this purpose, bringing a framework of the relations of teachers with each other, as well as the influence of the head of the school in encouraging and strengthening this cooperation. The article interweaves the researcher's point of view regarding teacher relations, as well as gives some recommendations for improving these relations and strengthening cooperation between teachers in the school, seeing the teacher more as a human and social being surrounded by many problems, concerns, and other positive and negative relationships in his life.

Presentation