Formal Observation Session by Nicole

Jane

2016-10-03 19:26:03 UTC

Takeaway: Pre-Conferencing: Balance providing direct feedback (i.e., concrete suggestions) with facilitative questioning (aka mentor questions) to cognitively coach teachers in their thinking process. Also, Pre-Conf coaching is most important thing we do w/ Ts all year

Question: As long as we meet the 2 IFs + 1 Formal for S1, can we change the order to IF, IF, Formal, so that struggling teachers can get 2 IFs before a Formal?

Thanks, Jane! Good question; as long as you will finish all the formals before 11/21 and your team is o.k. and on board with this, that will work! Make sure if you do decide to do so, you communicate this to your teachers and go through the scheduled December IF in Whetstone. :)

Marni

2016-10-03 19:26:19 UTC

My key take away is the importance of the pre-conference to give teachers the best possible opportunity at a good observation.

I don't have any questions.

Our group determined that having artifacts from the lesson would be helpful for the pre-conference.

Thanks, Marni! Yes, I think that is a great expectation for us to have. Let's all commit to asking educators to bring any assessments or assignments that accompany the lesson, whenever possible.

Darryl

2016-10-03 19:26:20 UTC

Key takeaway: integrate mentoring language into pre-conference

Pablo

2016-10-03 19:26:26 UTC

Using data as a guiding post allows for objective feedback and suggestions during conversation.

Kaitlin

2016-10-03 19:26:27 UTC

Objective Evidence is Key!

Questions: Can we video record the observations just as a jumping board for conversation?

You definitely could, Kaitlin! However, since you're in there for the majority of the period for formals, it may take a really long time to view or analyze. If there is a key part of the instruction that they have set a goal or action step around, I could see it being manageable to use video for a chunk of the observation. Good idea!

CT!!

2016-10-03 19:26:30 UTC

The entire process should be done with fidelity, allowing feedback to be given by both the administrator and the teacher. Take all thoughts and opinions into consideration.

Brian Perry

2016-10-03 19:26:30 UTC

Pre-Conferencing Takeaway: Setting a focus to begin the conversation allows you to acknowledge the strengths of a lesson, and focus the conversation on the areas of growth.

Question: How can scoring be improved so that it does not invalidate the conversation that came before it?

Thanks, Brian! Great question and I think it's one we need to collectively strategize on more, but for now, I know there was the great idea from someone else in the room that they have a 'cheat sheet' they make for themselves and then don't finalize the observation scores until after they have asked the teacher to reflect on the lesson and for their evidence. Is this something that would work or are you looking for other/more strategies?

Colleen

2016-10-03 19:26:33 UTC

Look for entry points! Gentle nudge is key

Asma

aali8 — 2016-10-03 19:26:43 UTC

Pre-conferencing: Objective is important to keep coming back to during the conversation.
Leave the meeting with clear deliverables.

Start conversation with clear goal/objective helps set the tone.

Thanks, Asma! Great takeaway; yes, clear deliverables are really important!

What area do elem get observed on?

2016-10-03 19:27:00 UTC

Elementary Teachers have the same categories as our other teachers and they are observed based on the Danielson rows of their teacher category.

Evelyn

2016-10-03 19:27:00 UTC

Ask questions and wait for responses.

No questions moving forward.

Will Pulgarin

2016-10-03 19:27:04 UTC

Insights: Probe for specificity

Questions: We all have different caseloads. How can we take that into account when going through this formal observation process.

Thanks for the response and picture, Will! :) Yes, very true and good point. Let's look at calendaring and see if we may need to support you in meeting your high support load.

Eliza - Ps have to know their Ts.

ekim10 — 2016-10-03 19:27:06 UTC

It could primarily be based on the type of T and standard they are being evaluated on.

Eagleson

2016-10-03 19:27:45 UTC

Ps need to thoroughly review lesson plans and feedback notes prior to meeting with the teacher

Thanks, Olivia! Good point!

Pre observations - be positive and lower effective fillter

2016-10-03 19:27:49 UTC

Anoli Patel

2016-10-03 19:27:55 UTC

Process, not product. We can focus on a few things at a time, and there's always next time/observation to work on other teacher concerns.
Mentoring language helps the teacher think/reflect on their own, while facilitating the conversation also gives ownership to teacher.

Questions: No questions at this time.