What is Teacher-Led Professional Development?

Teacher-led professional development is an approach that empowers educators to take charge of their own learning journey, actively engaging in shaping their improvement, rather than being passive recipients of traditional professional development.

What are the benefits of Teacher-Led Professional Development?

The benefits include ownership, relevance, reflection, student impact, and long-term sustainability. Teachers become architects of their growth, enhancing motivation and commitment. Administrators provide more relevant, personalized support, and it encourages self-assessment, leading to conscious refinement of instructional practices. Improved teaching directly impacts student learning and engagement, and it cultivates an ongoing culture of development.

How does Teacher-Led Professional Development work?

It involves reviewing the instructional framework, encouraging self-reflection, and engaging in collaborative goal-setting. Teachers and administrators work together to develop a shared understanding of what good instruction looks like, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and set concrete goals focused on instruction.

How can administrators support Teacher-Led Professional Development?

Administrators can support by actively participating in the process, providing relevant and personalized support, engaging in honest self-reflection, scheduling one-on-one time with teachers to set goals and develop action plans, and regularly checking in on goals throughout the year.

How does Teacher-Led Professional Development impact students?

Improved teaching directly impacts student learning and engagement. When teachers are empowered to actively engage in shaping their own improvement, it leads to more effective instruction, which in turn leads to better student outcomes.

What's the primary difference between teacher evaluation and coaching?

Teacher evaluation is a process where a teacher's effectiveness is reviewed and rated at a specific point in time, typically to ensure they meet set standards. Coaching, on the other hand, is an ongoing, supportive initiative that aims to foster continuous growth in teachers beyond just meeting basic standards.

Why is it necessary to adopt a coaching mindset in teacher evaluations?

Adopting a coaching mindset transforms the evaluative process from one that might feel judgmental to one that is supportive. This approach builds trust with teachers, promotes open dialogue, and emphasizes growth and development over mere compliance.

How can formative feedback benefit teachers more than one-time evaluations?

Formative feedback is continuous and allows teachers to make real-time adjustments to their teaching methods. It's based on frequent classroom visits and interactions, making it more reflective of the teacher's overall performance. This consistent feedback helps in building trust, and teachers tend to be more receptive to suggestions when they feel supported.

Why is visualizing growth important for teachers?

Visualizing growth provides a tangible representation of a teacher's professional journey. It allows for immediate feedback, sets clear goals, promotes reflection, and creates a sense of accountability. By seeing their progress mapped out, teachers can better appreciate their achievements and identify areas needing further development.

How does technology play a pivotal role in elevating teacher evaluations?

Technology streamlines the evaluation process by providing efficient tools for observation, feedback, and tracking progress. It offers a centralized platform where both teachers and evaluators can access data, review feedback, and visualize growth. By reducing the manual workload and enhancing accuracy, technology allows educators and school leaders to focus more on constructive dialogue and development strategies.

How can school leaders effectively engage with teachers about instruction?

School leaders can engage with teachers on instruction through classroom visits, training sessions, and the integration of whole-school instructional programs. They should communicate regularly with teachers about their courses and provide timely and specific information. This genuine interaction creates a collaborative environment and contributes to instructional improvement.

What qualities make a school leader highly effective?

Highly effective school leaders possess soft skills such as strong communication skills, visionary thinking, the ability to build and maintain relationships, strategic decision-making, and a focus on continuous improvement. They are empathetic, they help, and they can inspire and motivate others.

What is the impact of effective school leadership in students?

Effective school leadership has an indirect but powerful effect on student achievement. By communicating with teachers about education, providing a positive school climate, encouraging effectiveness, and using staff and resources strategically, school leaders create an environment that supports student learning. This improves academic achievement, as teachers are empowered and motivated to deliver high-quality instruction and students thrive in a safe and nurturing educational environment.

How can school leaders create structures for effective collaboration among teachers?

School leaders can plan for effective collaboration by allocating time for collaboration, establishing standards or rules for participation, and setting expectations for accountability. While attending joint meetings can be beneficial, it is important for leaders to allow teachers to feel autonomy and ownership during their tenure. This enables the open sharing of best practices and the development of effective teacher collaboration.

How should school leaders manage personnel and resources appropriately?

School leaders must strategically manage staff and resources to provide students and staff with the support and materials they need to learn. Leaders can enhance motivation, retention, and efficiency by ensuring teachers have the resources they need to do their jobs effectively. Lack of adequate resources for overworked teachers can lead to confusion and decreased concentration.

Formative Assessment Archives - Bullseye for Schools

Building Teacher Trust Through Feedback & Support to Achieve the Growth

Studies have shown that trust is a key factor in teacher retention and job satisfaction. Trust is vital to building a positive school culture, developing strong teacher-admin relationships, and creating feedback cycles that generate real growth. But how do we work on building teacher trust? It’s important to remember that trust is a two-way street.…

3 Steps for Teacher Led Professional Development in Education

The rate at which highly-skilled teachers are leaving the profession is astounding. With so much focus on student learning, teacher learning can become an afterthought. But the two are closely connected, and focusing on the former can help keep great teachers in the classroom. Start by taking a look at your professional development program. A…

Elevating Teacher Evaluation: From Meeting Minimum Standards to Fostering Ongoing Growth

How to Elevate Teacher Evaluation to Simulate Ongoing Growth

Evaluating teacher effectiveness guarantees high-quality instruction and helps teachers grow. Or does it? Research shows that some models of teacher evaluation have the exact opposite effect. It’s understandable: being evaluated is anxiety-inducing. Imagine going about your work when you become aware that someone is watching and judging your every move. As the evaluator, it’s probably…

4 Behaviors of Highly Effective School Leaders

The crucial role of school leaders in student learning and achievement is clear, yet the impact of exceptional leaders is often undervalued. New research by the Wallace Foundation suggests that the magnitude and scope of a school leader’s impact may not have been stated strongly enough in previous research and collective understanding. This comprehensive research…