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An Open Letter to a New Teacher
Congratulations, new teacher! Here you are! Though it’s exciting and daunting, there’s good news for you, packaged in a nice little mental frame you can use to be super-successful in this job. Read this letter (and keep it handy) to find out how.
How do we help teachers get better? Think about it.
If we focus our attention on developing every educator’s ability to reflect and reflect effectively, we can, in fact, equip all educators with one of the most impactful skills that is often at the root of all success.
Where Does Autonomy Fit in Today’s Classrooms?
As teachers, having autonomy doesn’t mean we can do whatever we want in a classroom. We have an obligation to ensure that each and every one of our students has access to a guaranteed and viable curriculum and high-quality instruction that’s based on research.
Visiting classrooms? Doing walkthroughs? Read this first.
Before you decide you’re going to go visit classrooms, take a moment to clarify your purpose. Then back up and ensure that your format is indeed following function, rather than vice versa.
How do you know if it’s time to change?
How do you know if it’s time to make a change? If you see the sign, it’s probably time, says Pete Hall.
Instructional Coaching FAQ #3
In the third installation of Frequently Asked Questions from the world of instructional coaching, Pete Hall discusses a bugaboo for many instructional leaders: TIME.
Who owns your PD?
If top-down professional development isn’t having the desired effect, consider a grassroots orientation: an “Unconference” allows participants to own the agenda, the outcomes, and the discussions.
Instructional Coaching FAQ #2
Pete Hall continues his exploration of exceptional Instructional Coaching in the 2nd installment of Frequently Asked Questions. This collection includes questions about aligning instructional coaches with site administrators.
Instructional Coaching FAQ #1
Interested in leveling-up your instructional coaching efforts? Pete Hall shares his responses to Frequently Asked Questions from instructional coaches in this blog series.
Let the coaches coach
In various forms, instructional coaching initiatives have cropped up all across the educational landscape over the past few decades. Based originally on research from Joyce & Showers (1980) and reinforced in multiple studies since, instructional coaching is the...