Bravo Zulu!
I have a double Bravo Zulu this week… actually a multiple BZ. First, New Start Night (From my email). Thank you all for a wonderful evening at New Start Night. For years I have dreamed of an open house type event with celebration and learning for all the community to see. I am especially proud of the teachers who each put together fascinating mini-microcosms of their classrooms for display in the gym. It was a great demonstration of what you are doing in your classrooms. It is about time we showed it off! Thank you Josh, Ann, Jackie and Andrea (your PBIS Team) for helping coordinate and put together a great demonstration of what the “Learning Sharks” at New Start can actually do. Also, thank you Bev, and to your Key Club students, Judy, and Bill at Kiwanis. It was a great show altogether, and a wonderful night. I’m not sure who all to thank, so Bravo Zulu to all!
Also I want to add a Bravo Zulu in for Ann Carlson who created an instant New Start Brochure in almost no time. For years, New Start has gone about its business without a printable, hand-out-able brochure to pass out to folks and visitors. Last week, with a few written sentences from me, and some pictures, Ann went to work on Publisher. I was amazed at the excellent brochure our Office Manager put together! Thank you Ann. It looks fabulous, and we had it in time for New Start Night. Bravo Zulu on the Brochure, Ann. Thank you.
Instructional Growth: Other People’s Classes
I think it makes good sense in our PD planning for next year to develop an observation protocol and layout a schedule observing each other and our colleagues in other schools. Both New Start and CHOICE Staffs have identified this as a professional growth practice in which we would like to engage.
To my recollection we have never done this before in Alternative Programs. Fortunately, I have observed a lot of classes over the years, in a lot of places, using a number of protocols. I feel confident leading into this for next year.
As with any learning it is important that we have a purpose for visiting or observing another teacher’s classroom. This is why I have alerted both staffs that a protocol will have to be required if I put resources into allowing both internal and external learning walks.
A simple example of a protocol I have used before is to meet with colleague “observers” before entering the classroom. On our notepads we write down specifically what it is we will be looking for: “multiple formative assessments”, for example. Sometimes we are all looking for the same thing. Sometimes we each pick something different. “supports for struggling students”, is another thing to look for. Protocols as such give focus to an observation. It points the post-observation discussion in ways the observer, or team may be looking to grow.
Just to begin your thinking about this, take a moment to project yourself into next year. You are waiting to enter a colleague’s classroom, an intermediately experienced Social Studies Teacher. What do you think you would enter the room looking for? What would you like to see? What would be the ideal, or what might surprise you?
A focused observation is a more effective learning experience for both the observed, and the observer. Research and experience tells us we are more likely to see something if you know what you are looking for. (if you don’t know what a student talk structures look like, or to look for them, you will probably miss them.) We will practice this thinking and looking at other people’s classes in hopes of some personal professional growth and seeing what teaching and learning looks like in other schools.
Friday Full PCT Day: May 18, 2012 This Friday is a non-student contract day. New Start and CHOICE will be using this day as our Counselor College and Career Day led by Ms. Andrea Love. Andrea will be sending each team an invite for a several hour meeting on Friday. Check your email for details.
My Schedule:
Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday
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Thursday
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Friday
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NS / Gates H.S.
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Evergreen
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New Start/CHOICE
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ERAC
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PSESD /SPU
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May 14
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May 15
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May 16
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May 17
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May 18
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Session VII Opening
Morning Office
Career Link Visit
Weekly Registrar
Visit Success Academy (Enumclaw)
Weekly Counselor
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HS3 Accreditation Review Team (All Day Evergreen Campus)
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ELL Service Plan Meetings
Bully Plan Meeting
District ALE Team
CH PBIS
M/Bruce D.
M/Carla J
CHOICE Info Night
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District Administrative Forum(ERAC All Day)
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Area Superintendent Meeting
SPU Supt. Cert. Luncheon
SPU Classes
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Thank you for good staff meetings last week, and our SIP work is nearly complete at both sites too! Enjoy this fantastic weather, and full speed ahead into another week of Spring…
Have a great week. Call your mom…
Mike
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