💡 10 Practices That Will Save Your School 💡

When was the last time you walked into a classroom and thought, “Wow, this is a finely tuned machine of collaborative brilliance!” Despite our best efforts, it can be as rare as seeing a shooting star… but it doesn’t have to be. Collaboration in schools often feels like a forced group project—messy, chaotic, rarely productive, with one person doing all the work. But here’s the kicker: collaboration is the key to unlocking true classroom potential—for teachers, students, and even the wider school community. And this isn’t just fluff; it’s measurable, actionable, and transformational.

Here’s how you do it.

At its core, Universal Best Practices (UBP) equips educators with the tools to build and measure collaborative intelligence (CQ) in every school. Not as a "nice-to-have" but as the foundation for how students and staff learn, grow, and work together. If you’ve ever felt like your classrooms are missing the magic of genuine teamwork, these 10 CQ indicators are about to change everything.

Collaboration isn’t an accident—it’s a system

First, let’s get one thing straight: collaboration isn’t just about sticking students in a group and hoping for the best. Great collaboration is intentional. It’s designed. It’s a system. And here’s what it looks like when CQ is fully alive in the classroom:

1. Peer-to-Peer Powerhouses: Students aren’t just passive learners—they’re teaching each other. Knowledge flows horizontally, not just top-down. (Because who says the teacher has to have all the answers?)

2. Dialogue That Dares: Classroom discussions embrace active dialogue. Diverse perspectives aren’t just welcomed—they’re celebrated. Respectful communication becomes the rule, not the exception.

3. Shared Goals, Not Chaos: Group projects shift from being a headache to a symphony. Shared learning goals evolve naturally, and everyone is working toward the same finish line.

4. Problem-Solving Playgrounds: Collaborative assignments go beyond busy work. They push students to think critically, solve real problems, and discover that two (or ten) heads are better than one.

5. A Wealth of Resources: Students tap into a treasure chest of support—peers, teachers, materials—making learning less of a lonely grind and more of a community-driven journey.

6. Designed for Engagement: Think strategic classroom layouts and tech integration that doesn’t just wow but works. Your school should scream “collaboration happens here!”

7. Teamwork 101: Students learn how to navigate group dynamics, communicate effectively, and build trust. These aren’t just classroom skills; they’re life skills.

8. Culture of Respect: Inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword here. It’s the foundation. Diverse perspectives thrive, and every student knows their voice matters.

9. Collective Ownership: Students take responsibility—not just for their own learning, but for their peers’. It’s not about competition; it’s about lifting each other up.

10. Reflect to Perfect: Assessments aren’t just grades on a page. They’re opportunities for students to reflect, understand, and grow. What did we learn? How did we learn it? These are the questions that drive progress.

Why CQ is Your Classroom’s Superpower

Here’s the deal: when CQ thrives, everything changes. Students stop going through the motions. Teachers stop feeling like they’re dragging their class uphill. And your classroom? It becomes a force. One where students learn how to learn, how to work with others, and how to make sense of the world.

UBP doesn’t just give you a vague roadmap for collaboration. It hands you the playbook. Every one of these 10 indicators is baked into the system, helping educators foster environments where collaboration is as natural as breathing.

Your Move: Will You Join the Collaboration Revolution?

The question isn’t whether collaboration matters—it’s what are you doing about it? With UBP, you don’t just talk about collaboration; you build it into the DNA of your classrooms. Start today. Because when collaboration thrives, classrooms thrive. And when classrooms thrive, schools—and the students in them—reach new heights.

What are you waiting for? Let’s make it happen. 💡

-Adam