The District Management Council 70 Franklin Street Boston, MA Tel: 877.DMC Springfield Public Schools Springfield Effective Educator Development System (SEEDS) March 2013

2 Why is receiving feedback important? “I like criticism. It makes you strong.” -LeBron James “[Feedback] may not be agreeable, but it’s necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.” -Winston Churchill “Few people have the wisdom to prefer the criticism that would do them good, to the praise that deceives them.” -Francois de La Rochefoucauld (French writer)

3 Teacher’s testimonial – The Power of Frequent Feedback Steve’s story (a Social Studies teacher in New Jersey): The transition toward an environment where observation occurs continually may seem scary. Steve agrees. “When I started at XX in 1999, observation meant a twice-a-year meeting and some vague directions: Teach more on the Civil War or get more engagement.” When XX first adopted a system of weekly observation, teachers like Steve were skeptical. Today, his opinion has changed significantly. “Observation and feedback have driven my practice in ways I’d never imagined,” Steve explains. “I feel like without that regular coaching, it would have been impossible for me to develop as quickly as I did.” Steve’s story didn’t just help him; it’s helped his students. When Steve started at XX, his students achieved an average of 80% on the NJASK test. Today, they achieve higher than 95% every year, a notable improvement that Steve attributes to the school’s culture of data-driven instruction and regular observation-based feedback.

4 Turn and talk Describe a time when an administrator or colleague helped you improve your practice. What was the feedback? How did the feedback help to improve your instructional practice?

5 Read an unannounced observation and reflect Is the unannounced observation evidence based or judgment? How is the feedback directly linked to evidence and the rubric? How can the feedback help to improve your classroom practice? What resources would you need to support the change in practice?

6 How to get the most out of feedback: feedback is the single most powerful way to grow into an effective teacher Going in to the conversation Be open to what you’ll hear - this is a valuable opportunity for you to learn what/how you can be better Remember that even the best teachers have room to improve Remember that it’s in the students’ best interest for you to act on feedback and improve During the conversation As you leave the conversation Listen – let the person finish what he/she is saying Ask clarifying questions and for specifics Ask for concrete strategies and alternatives for how you can improve you practice. Make sure you are on the same page with your evaluator as to what your next steps will look like Make sure you have a clear plan / goal in mind for how you want change your practice based on feedback What resources do you need from your evaluator?

7 Role play – How to become an empowered active participant in a post conference observation Find a group of three Choose your role Teacher (using strategies to maximize post conference) Administrator (providing feedback) Observer (look for evidence of teacher empowerment) Re-read page 5 of power point Read scenario #1 Role play for 3 minutes Discuss for 5 minutes What went well? What did you learn about how to participate in a post-conference? Switch roles in your group and start over with scenario #2

8 Role play scenario #1 Teacher You are in your 2 nd year of teaching 2 nd grade in an elementary school Classroom management has been a struggle all year You feel like you’ve tried everything but nothing has worked The other day, the principal came to observe your class at a point when your class was out of control: Johnny, as usual, was throwing a tantrum while the rest of the class was talking, moving around, and ignoring your instructions You know you need help, but you are also afraid of what your principal will say Administrator The teacher has been struggling with classroom management, and the observation was an evidence of that You recognize that she is only in her 2 nd year of teaching, and she has been working hard You also recognize that the teacher has many strengths and potential – she has very strong content knowledge and is dedicated During the feedback session, you want to affirm the teacher’s strength while providing concrete strategies she can use to control the classroom better

9 Role play scenario #2 You are a 7 th grade Math teacher You are in your 10 th year of teaching and feel like you have refined your craft over the years You see yourself as, if not the best, one of the best teachers in the school Last week, the principal observed a lesson on ratios and proportions which many of the students didn’t seem to get. But it’s a hard lesson, and your students this year don’t seem to be as strong as the previous cohorts While you like your principal, she is young and new. You don’t really like her telling you what to do Last week, you observed a lesson on ratios and proportions At least half of the class was confused, but the teacher was content to keep going without addressing the confusion The teacher has been teaching for 10 years and knows the curriculum very well During the feedback session, you want to affirm the teacher’s strength while providing concrete strategies she can use to check for understanding in the classroom and address the gaps in students’ understanding real time TeacherAdministrator