As the school year winds down, or has already ended, in schools across the United States, summer offers a valuable opportunity to re-energize structures in your school to prepare for the year ahead. This edition of the Creative Leadership Digest is dedicated to one of the most powerful structures for sustained growth and collaboration in schools: Collaborative Learning Teams (CLTs). | | |
The Power of Collaborative Learning Teams
Teaching is complex, and the list of responsibilities can feel endless. But when educators come together through collaboration, they gain strength, clarity, and a shared purpose. Collaborative Learning Teams (CLTs) provide a unified, intentional structure that helps focus their work on four key areas: standards, assessment, instruction, and differentiation. The power of CLTs lies not just in shared work, but in shared growth.
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CLTs are at the heart of effective professional learning communities, though the depth of their implementation can vary from school to school. In some schools, the CLT process is still emerging. Teachers may meet to discuss select aspects of planning, logistics, duty schedules, or events, but have not yet fully embraced the shift from a focus on teaching to a focus on learning.
When CLTs commit to the full collaborative process of discussing standards, planning assessments, examining data, designing Tier 1 instruction, and adjusting to meet student needs, they move beyond what Dufour and Reeves (2016) call PLC Lite. This is where the true potential begins to transform outcomes for both students and educators.
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The CLT goal: Improve student outcomes.
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The CLT process: Work together to focus on standards, instruction, assessment, and differentiation using data to guide decisions.
This section is a preview from our upcoming release Fearless Instruction – available July 2025!
| | COLLABORATIVE LEARNING TEAMS IN ACTION | | |
Reflection in Collaborative Learning Teams: A Pathway to Growth
Collaborative Learning Teams (CLTs) play a key role in effective teaching and professional growth. When educators share strategies, analyze student data, and co-create solutions, they drive meaningful school improvement. Yet, the full potential of CLTs emerges not just through action, but through intentional reflection.
Why Collaborative Learning Teams Matter
When I arrived at Williamsburg Middle School, CLTs were no longer a part of our culture. Though assessment results were solid, I saw an opportunity for growth through shared ownership of student outcomes. CLTs helped us build a culture of collective responsibility. Teachers began working together planning lessons, reviewing student work, and refining instruction based on data. This collaboration broke down silos and ensured no one taught in isolation.
However, collaboration alone isn’t enough. Teams must regularly reflect to remain effective and responsive.
The Role of Reflection
As the year ends, reflection gives teams the chance to evaluate their work and set a course for improvement. Reflection helps teams evaluate their impact in the following areas:
- Team Communication and Support
- Impact on Student Growth
- Process and Tool Effectiveness
- Professional Growth Through Collaboration
Reflection is not a checklist; it’s a mindset that drives progress. This insight highlights a key truth: without thoughtful analysis, collaboration risks becoming routine rather than transformative.
Turning Reflection into Action
Effective CLTs use year-end reflections to inform next steps. Consider taking time to reflect on and create an action plan to the following questions:
- Did we communicate and support each other effectively?
- How can we better support each other next year?
- Did our work lead to measurable student growth?
- What actions or shifts are needed to improve results?
- Were our processes and tools efficient and purposeful?
- How did collaboration help us grow as educators?
By documenting their insights and returning to them in the fall, teams create continuity and intentional improvement.
CLTs strengthen schools by promoting shared responsibility and instructional growth. But their success depends on honest reflection and purposeful action. As Dr. Reeves suggests, reflection transforms collaboration from conversation into change. By ending the year with clarity and focus, teams prepare to deepen their impact and better serve students in the year ahead
Written by Bryan Boykin
Principal at Williamsburg Middle School, a National Blue Ribbon School in Arlington, Virginia.
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Cultivating a Culture of High Expectations and Collective Efficacy in CLTs
One powerful lesson I’ve learned in my coaching journey is this: when teachers believe in themselves and each other, student success soars. As a coach, my work with Collaborative Learning Teams (CLTs) is more than implementing strategies; it’s about creating a culture of trust, shared purpose, and high expectations. I believe in building relationships by creating safe, nurturing spaces where adults feel supported in the same way we want students to feel.
I support both teachers and leaders, walking alongside them as a thought partner. In every team I coach, I strive to create a nurturing space where teachers feel safe to grow, take risks, and do their best. My ultimate goal is to empower them, so the work continues long after I leave.
We begin with clarity, exploring the difference between working as a group and operating as a true team. Together, we establish shared norms, define roles, and set goals anchored in a unified vision for student success. We align expectations for standards, instruction, assessment, and differentiation, while also engaging in vertical conversations to ensure coherence across grade levels.
The work isn’t always easy. Tough conversations and honest reflection can be uncomfortable, but that’s where growth happens. I support teams through those moments, helping them stay grounded in what matters most, students.
Here’s how I intentionally support teams to build collective efficacy and keep students at the center:
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Focus on What Matters Most: Identify Power Standards and define what success looks like for all learners.
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Agree on Clear Measures: Co-create common formative assessments aligned to the rigor of the standards.
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Choose Effective Instructional Strategies: Commit to high-impact practices and consistent implementation.
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Respond as a Team: Analyze student work and data to inform instruction and differentiation.
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Foster Vertical Alignment: Facilitate conversations across grade levels to build instructional coherence.
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Celebrate Growth: Share wins, highlight progress, and fuel belief in what’s possible together.
Here’s what you can do to begin cultivating collective efficacy with your teams:
- At your next CLT meeting, revisit your shared “why.”
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Ask: Are our expectations aligned with what we truly value?
- Choose one high-leverage practice to implement consistently.
- Share and celebrate growth.
Focus on moving beyond collaboration for compliance by cultivating a culture of high expectations and collective efficacy.
Written by Amanda Gomez
| | | | | Amanda is an award-winning educator with over 25 years of experience in teaching and leadership roles. Her background includes teaching at the elementary and middle school levels, instructional coaching, district-level professional development, instructional design, and authorship. She is especially passionate about effective math and early literacy instruction, safe and supportive learning environments, efficient assessment, school improvement, PLCs, and the integration of AI in education. Amanda is dedicated to empowering teachers to unlock every student’s potential, promote psychological safety, and foster strong relationships. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education with a Mathematics minor and an M.A. in Educational Leadership. | | The Fearless Schools Podcast | |
At The Fearless Schools Podcast, we believe that building bold, thriving schools starts with courageous conversations. Each episode brings you real stories, actionable insights, and strategies to help educators and leaders like you create stronger, more resilient learning communities.
Ready to start your Collaborative Learning Teams with confidence and inspire lasting change?
Explore our PLC episode with Dr. Anthony Muhammad below!
| | New episodes drop on the 1st & 15th of every month | | Creative Leadership Solutions is a leading provider of research and evidence-based professional development and coaching that helps districts and schools attain their goals, impact student learning, and improve performance. Our team of experts is dedicated to delivering personalized and differentiated learning opportunities. Let’s start a conversation – reach out to us directly at service@creativeleadership.net or 617-952-8542. | |
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