N is for Noticing: Challenge Accepted
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Last week I participated in the “A is for Appreciation” #LeadLAP Challenge to drop notes of appreciate to staff members at DGS. This week’s #leadlap challenge was presented by Shelley Burgess and Beth Houf as “N is for Noticing.” Principals and instructional leaders were charged with getting into classes and “Noticing” the impact by providing feedback of instructional practices. Guidance for feedback that is meaningful and can impact instruction was given at http://linkis.com/shelleyburgess.com/2/6PJh9
In addition, I’d like to reference some additional resources for providing teachers feedback:
1. How Principals Can Give Effective Feedback to Teachers
2. 7 Steps to Effective Feedback
3. Seven Keys to Effective Feedback
4. Rich Voltz Thoughts on Teacher Evaluation
With my port-a-principal cart armed with my “N is for Noticing” notes, I set sail into classrooms to start my day. When providing teachers feedback, I was intentional about providing judgement/bias free feedback to and speak to the best practices strategies that were used within their instruction. I cited specific evidence and observations. I engaged students in conversations that focused on learning goals and targets. I then wrote these down and shared them with teachers.
In a book I previously read over the summer, “The Three Minute Classroom Walk-Through,” the authors stated “The major purpose of our walk-throughs is to provide opportunities for the teacher’s professional growth. Professional growth is considered a process and not some abstract point of finality on a continuum of development.” Providing the systematic feedback on an ongoing basis to teachers by noticing their instruction practices, student engagement, and curriculum decisions, teachers can continue to grow and develop. In addition to my teachers growing through feedback, As a result of this week’s challenge, I have set some professional goals. My goals include:
1. Making regular and specific feedback a priority.
2. Making the feedback I give goal-oriented, specific, and free from bias.
3. Continue to provide feedback that is balanced between hand-written, digital, and face-to-face
