Designing and Refining Lessons With Colleagues: Tips for Constructive Friends
Many teachers have had limited opportunities to collaborate with their peers. This section describes one way to
collaborate: by being a constructive friend.
What is a constructive friend?
A constructive friend is a person whom we turn to or invite to question our educational actions and decisions.
He or she stretches us to articulate precisely our rationale for those decisions and helps us to see important
information from a different perspective. Constructive friends are careful to take the entire context into
consideration before offering feedback. Yet, while their main purpose is to provide support, they are not afraid
to confront us with issues in order to help us become more than we ever thought possible.
How can a constructive friend help with my professional growth?
Constructive friends are good listeners and problem solvers who help us sort out our think-ing and make sound
decisions. They ask provocative questions that help us define our expectations and intentions, help us realize
when our expectations for ourselves and others are too low, and tell us when our actions don’t match our
intentions. Such dialogue helps us grow professionally in ways that readings, conferences, or classes cannot.
What should I look for in a constructive friend?
Constructive friends possess certain core qualities:
In addition, they:
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Listen well.
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Clarify ideas.
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Encourage specificity.
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Fully understand what is being presented.
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Fully understand the context of the work.
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