SCRIPTURE EXHORTS us to “encourage each other and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NLT). In a collaborative culture, the involvement of everyone leads to smarter decision-making while reinforcing the value of each individual. Sharing different ideas and approaches can result in creative or innovative solutions that would not have been possible without the opportunity to share. In addition, collaboration often has a positive impact on employee morale as individuals work together to accomplish common goals. Collaboration fosters trust and teamwork and leads to improved learning for both educators and students. Collaboration assists students to take greater control of their own learning and to develop life skills that will better prepare them for global citizenship.
Collaboration within entities and between members of the school, conference, union, and Division levels provides a broad spectrum of perspectives and ideas and connects different groups within the Adventist education system. This practice strengthens the system as professionals from different contexts and levels come together to share research, strategies, and technologies. In the process, individuals take ownership of their own learning while contributing to the system-wide mission and goals, and the system benefits from the creative problem-solving and internal accountability that result. Through positive communication, sharing, the development of ideas, and subsequent actions toward institutional growth, collective ownership is promoted. This creates enhanced engagement, a willingness to take risks, and increased institutional loyalty moving forward.
