In addition, teachers are being told they must now become part of the team. Many teachers are uncertain as to their responsibilities in this new paradigm. This section of the course will explore how empowerment can make a difference and assist in solving many of the problems facing our school systems today. The empowered school system and school creates a new relationship between teachers and administrators, teachers and students, and teachers and parents. In this new paradigm all are partners in the education of students.
Empowerment is simply a new, different, and effective way of working together.
This session will define empowerment and the road to an empowered organization, focus on the main criteria of empowered teams, discuss the element of positive interdependence, and how we can practice effective teamwork as an individual, describe the critical phases of team development, and establish guidelines for practicing consensus decision making. Students will demonstrate the criteria of empowered teams by participating in a team simulation that will allow them to inductively define the essential characteristics of teamwork. Each team will be given approximately 20 minutes. The faculty team may also present their own dance after the two student teams have shown their work. This session will explore the traditional governance structure of school systems also known as pyramids and new empowered school systems known as circles.