A Tool for Growth-Oriented Supervision, Evaluation and Professional Development

Avon Grove School DistrictOctober 2009

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Peer Coaching

Workshop GoalsEssential Questions

What are the expectations and requirements for me, as a participant in the Peer Coaching Program?

How will I improve my teaching and student learning in my classroom by crafting and focusing on a specific goal?

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Please Read… Peer Coaching: A Tool for Growth-Oriented Supervision, Evaluation, and Professional Development, August 2009

http://avongrove.pbwiki.com/

or…

www.avongrove.org For Staff Resources Avon Grove Wiki

Peer Coaching

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What do I know about Peer Coaching?

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True False Question

After three consecutive years of participating in the Peer Coaching Program, I must revert to the traditional teacher observation model for a minimum of one year.

Peer coaching is a form of professional development designed to improve my teaching practice.

Principals cannot observe me formally if I am participating in the Peer Coaching Program.

Only tenured teachers can participate in the Peer Coaching Program.

I must complete the peer coaching process a minimum of three times during the school year.

The peer coaching process involves a pre-observation conference, an observation, and a post-observation conference.

Peer coaching increases opportunities for collaboration and professional growth.

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X

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X

What is Peer Coaching?

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…a process in which two or more professional colleagues work together for a specific, predetermined purpose in order that teaching performance can be improved as well as validated.

…a method to reflect on current practices or to expand, to refine, and build new skills.

What is Peer Coaching?

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...a mechanism for sharing new ideas; to teach one another; to conduct classroom observations; and to provide feedback on teaching practices.

…it is non judgmental, and non-evaluative.

…it focuses on the collaborative development, refinement and sharing of professional knowledge and skills.

Why Peer Coach?

Joyce & Showers, 19978

Professional Development

Strategy

% of Teachers Transferring Practice

to ClassroomDescription of new technique

Modeling of new technique

Opportunity to practice using new technique

Provision of feedback on the use of the new technique

Coaching on the technique

10 %

Up to 13 %

Up to 19 %

Up to 22 %

Up to 95%

How Will Peer Coaching Help Teachers?

Research indicates that Peer Coaching:Enhances collaboration and communication skillsAllows professionals to function at varying levels of expertiseAffords teachers an active role in their own professional developmentImproves teaching and learning

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Goal Setting1.Identify individual goal

Remember, this goal is for YOUR professional growth

2.Connect individual goal to AGSD Strategic Plan

3.Identify the Danielson teaching behavior that aligns with your goal

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Goal Setting: Questions to Ask Yourself

Is my goal SMART?Specific - focused on improving my own teaching behavior or practices?

Measureable – how will I measure achievement of my goal?

Attainable - can I attain this goal?

Realistic – can I accomplish this goal?

Timely – can I achieve this goal during this school year?

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Goal ExampleIndividual Goal: I am working to improve my delivery of focus lessons in reading comprehension instruction to include (1) modeling, (2) metacognitive awareness, and (3) think alouds as evidenced by my daily lesson plans that include planning elements for a focus lesson.Strategic Plan Goal: Academic Achievement: ReadingDanielson Framework: 1E – Designing Coherent Instruction 12

What do you think of these goals?

Sample #1: To utilize the gradual release of responsibility in science instruction

Sample #2: Successfully implement Collins Writing Program

Sample #3: Engaging students in learning

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Review Your Goal 1. Take a look at your own goal and ask “Is my goal a SMART goal?”

Specific - focused on improving my own teaching behavior or practices?

Measureable – how will I measure achievement of my goal?Attainable - can I attain this goal?Realistic – can I accomplish this goal?Timely – can I achieve this goal during this school year?

2. Revise your goal as needed

3. Share your goal with your neighbor

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Pre-observation Conference1. Share your goal with one another

2. Select possible dates & times for the observation

3. Use the Pre-Observation Conference Sheet to guide planning for the observation

4. Determine tool for gathering data5. Make arrangements for coverage

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The Observation 1. Use selected data collection tool for

recording information2. Stay focused on area identified for

feedback3. Be unobtrusive

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Post-observation Conference1. Partners meet to discuss the points observed

using the interview protocol for post-observations

2. Discuss specific evidence observed related to the focus

3. Formulate an action plan

4. Implement your action plan prior to the second observation.

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Repeat the CyclePre-ObservationObservationPost-Observation

What are Peer Coaching Teams required to do?

October Attend workshop Identify personal peer coaching goal Conduct planning meeting to finalize goals

October – January Schedule pre-conference, observation, and post-

conference February

Complete survey on observation cycle February-May

Schedule pre-conference, observation, and post-conference

May Complete survey on observation cycle Complete program survey 19

What Happens After Today’s Meeting?

1. Peer Coaching pairs hold a planning meeting to finalize and review goals

Select a teaching behavior from Danielson’s A Framework for Teaching to become focus of the peer coaching experience.

Identify which of the Strategic Planning goals the teaching behavior falls within.

Be prepared to share goals with your principal

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2. Pairs schedule a pre-observation conference

Discuss how data will be collected Complete a pre-observation form

3. Pairs schedule observations of each other

Schedule in coordination with the principal Two observations for each teacher

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4. Pairs conduct a post -conference following each observation

Share findings Use the Observer Forms

5. Each teacher develops a brief action plan based upon

feedback and repeats the process

Important Reminder

Participating in Peer Coaching does NOT

interfere with your principal’s right to observe in your classroom.

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Peer Coaching Resources…Peer Coaching Wiki http://avongrove.pbworks.com/Peer-Coaching

Instructional CoachesAdministratorsPeers/Colleagues

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Questions