As an American educator who works with schools in Australia, I am frequently asked how our schools compare. Despite differences in accents and terminology, our systems of education are remarkably similar.
Great teaching has much in common with show business. Do you know about the many successful performers who considered a career in the classroom?
Helping teachers explore their beliefs about learning facilitates their professional growth. Collegial Coaching is a process that enables teachers to self-evaluate in a non-threatening environment.
Unless there is a preponderance of evidence that a teacher is unwilling to learn, be coached, or to grow professionally – making dismissal is a real possibility – the sole purpose of any observation – informal observation, class walk-through, or formal evaluation – should be to help a teacher enhance instructional effectiveness.
A New Zealand school continues to make significant progress (socially, behaviorally, and academically) after adopting the principles and practices of choice theory. This is an inspiring story of moving from chaos to quality.
Do students with career goals do better in school? Do we work only for pay? Bob Sullo addresses questions and comments made after his webinar “5 Strategies to Engage & Inspire Kids to Work Harder in School.”
What is the purpose of teacher evaluation? Is it to improve instruction? Create a “paper trail” so we can justify dismissal of ineffective teachers? We need to know our true purpose if we hope to improve the current flawed system of evaluating teachers.
Are kids being asked to do too much homework? Does more homework result in higher achievement? More and more parents and educators are questioning the purpose and value of homework.
When schools create a “culture of empowerment,” teachers are energized and students experience greater success. Is your school one that empowers or are you stuck in a culture of compliance?
Teacher evaluation systems that induce fear and stress will negatively impact teacher performance and student learning. The harm it will cause greatly outweighs any potential benefit.
