School improvement begins with the end in mind. It is not something that is implemented overnight but involves a process that is developed by a team of school leaders. This section begins with discussing the importance of teacher leaders in the building.
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Teacher Leadership
Effective teachers demonstrate a deep understanding of the curriculum. They plan, teach, and assess to promote mastery for all students. Effective teachers provide high-quality instruction to increase student achievement for all students by providing researched-based instruction filled with technology integration. Effective teachers provide a respectful, positive, safe, and student-centered environment. They collaborate with their colleagues to analyze data and plan for effective and equitable instruction. Effective teachers continually reflect and evaluate the effects of his/her choices and actions. Effective teachers build positive and professional relationships with students, parents, and community members.
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We know that teachers take on leadership responsibilities in the school and are not often acknowledged for these efforts. Teacher leaders in schools supports the work of principals by creating a system of shared leadership allowing principals to delegate some instructional leadership tasks to teacher leaders to alleviate their stress and to focus on high priority items. Teacher leaders contribute tremendously to a school. They can mentor faculty members, contribute deep knowledge of their school and community to the decision-making process. Teacher leaders thrive when they feel respected for the knowledge and experience. The development of teacher leaders requires a different method of addressing the challenge of systemic reform.
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One way a principal can improve teacher quality is to support staff development needs. Teacher leaders can help principals support professional development by identifying teacher development needs, offering professional learning experience, developing and delivering opportunities, and evaluating the outcomes of staff development. Teacher leaders are a source of reliable, useful, and professional help for the principal. In addition, instructional teacher leadership can reduce the principal’s workload. Teacher leaders are able to assume some of the principal’s many responsibilities, including those of instructional leader.
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Workshops in Summer 2022
Multiple Tiers of Student Support (MTSS): This K-12 teacher session revisits RTI components, effective instructional strategies and student engagement. Participants will retool by tweaking “The Magnificent 7” strategies and discussing how we can integrate technology to promote higher order thinking, deep learning, collaboration, and student engagement. [click here]
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Upgrading Your Teaching & Learning Style Tools: This K-12 teacher workshop is designed to analyze various teaching styles and focus on ways teachers can assess student’s learning style preferences. It also enables teachers to teach students to assess and accommodate how they learn best, regardless to the teacher’s style of teaching. [click here]
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How to Zoom in On Classroom Control: Teachers will view segments of “Good Morning Mrs., Tolliver,” target the classroom environment, student behaviors, specific problem indicators, student involvement, and discuss early specific research interventions. (Resources: Harry Wong, Robert Marzano, Carol Tomlinson, Mike Schmoker, et.alia) [click here]