A Tale of Two Schools: A Comparative Case Study Demonstrating Organizational Pathways to Educator Collaborations

Michael W. Valenti Ph.D., Pressley RidgeFollow
Duhita Mahatmya, University of IowaFollow
Elizabeth Levine-Brown, George Mason UniversityFollow
Karen Celedonia, Pressley RidgeFollow
Tracy Sweet, University of MarylandFollow

Keywords

teacher collaboration, school improvement, educational leadership, school-based social networks

Abstract

Effective staff collaboration in schools maximizes educators’ collective capacity, improves educator and student outcomes, and facilitates school-wide improvement efforts. Yet, many school team members struggle to collaborate effectively. Previous studies have demonstrated individual and school-level factors that influence school-based collaborations. This study expands former research by comparing the varying administrative and environmental tools employed by two schools to shape relational networks and foster interpersonal capital. Specifically, this case study explores how school-level factors shape the development of school social networks and staff collaborative behavior. We use comparative case study analysis to explore how differences in individual-level and system-level factors influence educator collaboration in two schools. Social network analysis describes each school’s collaborative connections, while staff interviews provide detailed accounts of the individual and systemic processes related to collaborative behavior. Social network plots illustrate how educators’ interpersonal connections differ in each school setting. Staff interview data revealed three common influential factors affecting collaboration and culture in both programs, including: 1) leadership efforts, 2) environmental context, and 3) barriers to collaboration. Data also reveal unique factors in each school. Implications about how school leaders can facilitate or manage these factors to promote effective collaborations are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Valenti, Michael W. Ph.D.; Mahatmya, Duhita; Levine-Brown, Elizabeth; Celedonia, Karen; and Sweet, Tracy (2025) "A Tale of Two Schools: A Comparative Case Study Demonstrating Organizational Pathways to Educator Collaborations," Mid-Western Educational Researcher: Vol. 37: Iss. 1, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/mwer.37.01.10
Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/mwer/vol37/iss1/10