Montana Catholic Schools Weekly
October 5, 2014
Walking Through & Driving By
Now is the time to get into the classrooms and help shape instruction. Teachers and students have settled into routines but it's still early enough to help teachers avoid setting the ruts and instead establish a groove.
It's also the time to establish in your mind where the strengths are in your building. We all know the difference between a house with great curb appeal but on closer inspection doesn't quite match up. Or the seemingly fixer upper on the outside which is a real gem on the inside. Our classrooms can be the same way. You never know what's going on until you're in the room taking the temperature. And not just once--you need to pop in repeatedly. And perhaps taking the temperature isn't a good metaphor because you're not there to judge the quality of a teacher but to assist in improving instruction. And can't we all get better in some way?
In fact, I usually find it's the high performing teacher who welcomes the visit, who's hard on herself and needs the affirmation of an observer.
What works for you? Do you have a good system of walk throughs? Do you establish a routine so that you see all teachers? Obviously, the best resource is your fellow principals. Call someone up and ask. Or look for an app if you have a favorite tablet.
My recommendation is twofold: keep it simple and let everyone know what you're doing.
Keep it simple by narrowing your focus. I used to have two categories: "What I liked," and "What I don't understand." The first category was a way to lead off with the positives. Teachers sometimes overlook the obvious and take for granted the climate they've established. When you say, "I love the way every student was engaged in the problem," it's a great way of affirming a teacher's great lesson planning.
When you write down things you don't understand, you're not judging the teacher. You're simply looking for clarification. And that usually opens a channel for dialogue about instruction and can sometimes unearth a teacher's struggle. Now, you can help.
Tell people what you're doing. Parents find it reassuring that you're visiting classes. In fact, it will give you credibility when they call to inquire about a teacher. Prospective parents love to hear that you're out and about, leading instruction. And good teachers love to hear that you're spending time in classes and making instruction one of your top priorities.
I had the privilege last week to help Br. Dale with his new teachers at De La Salle Blackfeet School. They are doing such incredible work in Browning. But they have a challenge of taking new volunteers who have never had formal teacher training. I was able to spend time with the new teachers helping with mechanics, pedagogy, and motivation. If you'd like me to come out and help you with this important piece of your job, let me know.
Dr. Tim Uhl
Morning Meeting at DLSBS
Bishop Thomas at Son LIght
Livingston's history
The Week Ahead
Tuesday: Pryor (St. Charles) & Billings Catholic Schools. Overnight in Billings.
Wednesday: St. Labre Indian Catholic School WCEA final day. Overnight in Billings.
Thursday: meeting with Bishop Thomas (Helena)
Friday: office day (Helena). Surveys are due. Jean and I will be collecting & analyzing!
This week: 850 miles
Last week: 775 miles
Total this year: 6055 miles
Montana Catholic Schools
Email: superintendent@montanacc.org
Website: www.montanacatholicschools.org
Location: 1313 11th Avenue, Helena, MT, United States
Phone: (406( 442-5761
Twitter: @tduhl
Upcoming Events
St. Labre Elementary WCEA Accreditation visit Oct 5-8
Marian classes: Wed, Oct 15 in Billings 12-3; Oct 16 10-1 in Great Falls; Oct 17 9-noon in Missoula. Principals need to send in their registration forms to Jean Saye. jean@montanacc.org
St. Andrew WCEA Accreditation visit Oct 19-22.
Regional principal meetings in November: Nov 18th (Missoula), Nov 19 (Great Falls), Nov 20 (Billings). More details to come.
Synod on the Family
Great Falls Schools Update
These have only been discussions. There are no immediate plans. In fact, later this month, Bishop Warfel has asked the pastors and me to meet with him to talk about the possibility. There are no plans in place and I can't imagine anything tangible changing in the immediate future.