Sacred Heart School
Week of April 30th
It is the Learner that does the Learning.
You may or may not be aware that ADW has chosen to adopt the Danielson Framework for Teaching as its Evaluation Tool. Starting next school year, we will be fully adopting the tool.
I was hesitant to get on board with this - as no one likes evaluations. I myself have had my fair share of evaluations that left me feeling inadequate and under-valued!
However, as I learned more about the rubric .. and listened to Charlotte Danielson explain why she created the rubric, I realized that there is the potential for the rubric to be quite powerful. Charlotte Danielson did not design it as an evaluation tool - but as a tool that will give teachers shared language about what high quality teaching and learning looks like. She created 4 domains (Planning and Prep, Classroom Environment, Instruction, and Professionalism) and within each of those domains, defined the key components of good teaching. Within each component, she describes how a teacher can move from Unsatisfactory to Basic to Proficient and Distinguished.
Danielson was clear in stating that there is no such things as a "Basic Teacher", but there are moments of teaching that are basic. Perhaps only half of the class is engaged in the task at hand... or the teacher is driving the lesson.. and there is no room for student voice.
After reflecting on what moments of basic teaching look like, I enjoyed also reflecting on what moments of Distinguished teaching look like. Distinguished teaching involves deep, authentic student engagement. It places students at the center and provides choice, flexibility, and agency!
I loved thinking about how the Danielson framework highlights so much of the work we do with Project Zero as "distinguished" teaching. Structures like microlab protocols or turn-and-talks which promote equal voice are great ways to enhance student-to-student interactions. Thinking Routines ensure that teachers are asking deep questions of students, and letting students generate questions that can be used to guide deeper inquiry. The global competency framework ensures that teachers are bringing in relevant resources that are meaningful and interesting to students today. The Maker Movement gives students an opportunity for hands-on engagement and critical thinking about how the world around them works. Lastly, documenting all of this great thinking is a form of assessment that ensures teachers have a pulse on what students know and are able to do.
My hope is that we can use this evaluation tool as Charlotte intended - as a shared language around what strong teaching can look like. I hope that we can see how the strategies and ideas generated by Project Zero can help us to promote student-centered classrooms and I hope that we can use the rubric to guide us to see where we can continue to grow as a school!
PS - If you want to see a copy of the rubric, you can login to your Frontline Account and click on "Teacher Self Assessment". The rubric is there, in its entirety!
DIstinguished Teaching in Action!
Sharing Student Thinking
Celebrating Students' Ideas
Listening to Student Voices
This Week...
Tuesday, May 1st - First Reconciliation
Tuesday, May 1st - ASCD Filming Ms. Bogosian's Classroom
Wednesday, May 2nd - No School Mass
Wednesday, May 2nd - Half Day, 12:30 Dismissal, Exhibition of Teacher Learning from Learning Groups
Thursday, May 3rd - Marisol Science Coaching
Thursday, May 3rd - Time, Talent, and Treasure Awards Dinner at 6pm
Friday, May 4th - First Communion at 10:00am in the Church
A prayer for our students receiving First Reconciliation and First Communion this week!
Also special shout out to Ms. Daisy for helping each day!