Effective Teaching
Have you ever walked into a classroom and just knew it was an effective room. I would bet we could all agree there is an "atmosphere" in a classroom that is highly effective. This month, administrators took time to discuss the qualities of effective teachers. They were presented with the following questions:
- What does it mean to be an effective/excellent teacher?
- How do you know teachers are effective?
- What measures do we have to know teachers are effective?
- What is your vision for excellence in teaching and learning.
Administrators from all schools discussed the questions in small groups. Below is a summary of those discussions:
What does it mean to be an effective/excellent teacher?
- Going beyond basic competencies.
- Lifelong learners
- Self-reflection and willingness to change/make changes to teaching practice
- Open and responsive to feedback from students and parents
- Student focused
- Establishes foundational relationships which enable growth
- Works as an activator rather than facilitator
- Asks a wide array of questions
- Invites feedback
- Utilizes differentiated instruction and assessment
- Works with the entire community as a resource
- Has a growth mindset
- Teacher includes the students as part of a community of learners
How do you know teachers are effective?
- Students feel capable and have a sense of agency
- Students can identify the goals of lessons
- Positive relationships with students, parents, colleagues
- Direct observations and conversations with teachers, their colleagues, students and parents
What measures do we have to know our teachers are effective?
- Classroom observations
- Conversations
- Student outcomes
- Academic but also the student sense of their own agency, belonging, and competence
- Students feel connected, capable, contributing and cared for
- Clear link between assessment and planning
- Students are passionate about being in the classroom
What is our vision for excellence in teaching and learning?
- Excited/engaged student body
- Positive school cultures
- Positive relationships
- Classrooms as learning environments
Last night, new Grasslands teachers met for a sharing session at Central Office. We discussed the same questions. Interestingly, the same responses came up. There was a big focus on the development of positive relationships with the entire learning community (colleagues, students, parents, administrators, the greater community). In addition, there was a strong focus on the idea of connecting and collaborating. Below are links to two documents about teaching effectiveness that we discussed. I would also be very interested to know your thoughts. How would you define effective and excellent teaching? What is your vision for teaching and learning in your classroom?
Teaching Effectiveness Resources:
Google Drive Resources
The last item I have for you this week is a link to some excellent Google Drive resources. It lists a number of learning activities you can do with Google Drive as well as some time saving tips you can use when you are in Drive. Our use of Google and Chrome Apps has skyrocketed over the past few months. This is great to see! I hope you are finding success with the tools in Drive. If you have any questions or need any help, please do not hesitate to ask.
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