What You See Can Improve What You Get: Observing and Coaching Teachers to Increase Student Learning | Dr. Anne Meek
Program Description
This program provides an overview of the process of visiting classrooms and coaching teachers for either professional performance evaluation or peer coaching. The concept of observation as a mirror of teaching (what you see, what you get) will be emphasized, with the presentation of several frameworks of teaching. Follow-up coaching and conferencing skills will be described and modeled by the presenter and role-played by the participants. These techniques will lead to improved teaching and better results on the Standards of Learning for students at your school.
Materials include Qualities of Effective Teachers by James Stronge (ASCD, 2002); Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching by Charlotte Danielson (ASCD, 1996); Crossing Over to Canaan: The Journey of New Teachers in Diverse Classrooms (Jossey-Bass, 2001); and the Virginia standards for professional performance evaluations.
Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
Planning and Assessment (ISLLC standard 3) and Instructional Leadership (ISLLC standard 1)Program Goals and Objectives
By the end of this program, participants will learn positive strategies for effectively coaching teachers. They will be able to hold successful pre- and post-observation conferences, take notes during classroom observations, and write up reports of the observations. They will learn principles for composing recommendations and commendations for each teacher.
- This program is also suitable for teacher leaders who wish to begin peer-coaching.
- Also available: Demonstration of observation and coaching techniques in your school.
Program Format
The program opens with a brief assessment designed to zero in on the participants' specific needs for effective techniques in classroom visitation and observation, conferencing, report-writing, and coaching, to assure that participants' needs are addressed. The provider will present the steps in an easy-to-use observation/coaching sequence useful at all school levels, relating each step to participants' needs. She will illustrate each step and offer resources for follow-up self-study. She will give examples from her own experience-more than 1,000 classroom observation and coaching sequences. Finally, in a partner activity, participants will be asked to analyze the presenter's teaching skills according to a checklist provided by the presenter-in effect, role-playing an observation-followed by dialogue about report writing and coaching. During this role-play activity, the presenter will provide feedback about the participants' analysis and follow-up.Target Audience
School-based or central office administrators and teacher leaders.Self-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division
No/yes. Any designation of individual or group performance needs would suffice.Duration of Program
One full-day of 6-8 hours or two half-days of 3-4 hours each:
- The first session deals with the overview and classroom visitation techniques.
- The second deals with reporting, coaching, and conferencing techniques.
- These two sessions can be scheduled on two consecutive days to accommodate participant schedules or on two widely separated days, but consecutive days are more effective.
- Your own private demonstration of observation and coaching techniques, arranged upon request, at your school.
Outcomes Measured
- Number of resources provided to participants for future reference, according to their particular needs.
- Participant analysis-role-playing and observation/coaching sequence.
Program Evaluation
Participant evaluation forms.Contact Information
Dr. Anne Meek
1930 Hunters Trail
Norfolk, VA 23518
Phone: 757.857.3801
Email: annemeek@aol.com