1. District Staff Development Model Indirectly Paves the Way for Teacher Leaders
Melody Arabo, Angela Colasanti,
Mary Jane Schau, and Anita Qonja
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools

2. Job-Embedded Professional Learning
Authentic- within daily lives
Systemic, planned, and intentional
Knowledge in practice
Reflection on action
Internal expertise

3. How and when did this all begin?
History
How and when did this all begin?

4. Teacher 2 Teacher’s Purpose
The Walled Lake District adopted Readers’ and Writers’ Workshop as their core literacy practice
Peer-learning model was developed to help scaffold learning
Natural setting/environment paints a BIG PICTURE
Develop common language and common practice among teachers across the district
Common practice and common language= raised student achievement

5. Teacher 2 Teacher’s Structure
Selecting the “lab teacher” – 1 per school for upper elementary
3 year commitment
1st year- observation and training
2nd year – three modules
3rd year – digging deeper
Half day observations with peers
9 observations per year, 3 per grade level
Upper Elementary  Lower Elementary  Middle School

6. Ownership Leads to Leadership
Pre-observation planning sessions prepared lab teachers for observations
Lab teachers prepared modules (PPT), chose reading materials, developed observation norms, and developed observation guides and goal setting sheets
During these sessions, WE took lead- we had ownership, we were emerging as leaders

7. Basic Structure of Observation Days
Pre-Observation
Module/PPT
What to look for…
Observation
45 minutes- 1 hour
Observation guides
Post- Observation
Debrief
Set goals

8. “A fly on the wall” learns a lot about its environment.
Observation Norms
“A fly on the wall” learns a lot about its environment.
To make your observation time as authentic as possible, these are the things we have found to be successful:
Be present for the entire hour in order to see all components of the workshop.
Bring only the Viewing Document, clip board, and pencil. Be sure to note questions, concerns, and comments about the workshop for the debriefing session.
Interactions are only between the observed classroom teacher and students.
Move freely around the room as components of the workshop are implemented.
Enjoy and learn from your observation.

9. Observation Guide: Readers’ Workshop
Check off the components of the workshop as they occur:
Mini-Lesson
Independent Reading
Small group (guided reading, strategy group, and/or book club)
Conferencing
Share
Observations:
What were the students doing?
What was the teacher doing?

10. Post-Observation Next Steps
READERS’ WORKSHOP
Post-Observation Next Steps
Date______________ Team Members____________________
What have you tried that would fit into the workshop framework?
What are you excited to try in your own classroom?
Which piece of the workshop do you feel you need the most support with?
What would you like to know more about?
Decide on one realistic grade level goal.
What resources will be helpful to accomplish your goal?
How will your team revisit your goal?

11. Examples of Post-Observation Forms

12. Turn and Talk

13. Teacher Leaders Emerge
Lab teachers have become “go to” people in their buildings and within the district
Suggesting mentor text
Passing along reading materials
Answering questions
Offering advice
Facilitating meetings/workshops
Discussing successes and failures within our own practice
Lending materials
Reading Recovery Teachers emerge as facilitators and presenters

14. Why did teacher leaders emerge?
Ownership
Passion
Risk taking
Same level as peers- maybe one step ahead
Gained respect and credibility
Influential, non-threatening, inviting
“Building the bridge” and “testing the waters”

15. Personal Reflections Increased literacy knowledge Gained confidence
More comfortable sharing thoughts and ideas with staff
Gained respect and credibility
Renewed motivation
Excited about learning and teaching
Eager for future leadership opportunities

16. Possible first steps… Videos Webinars
Use of prep time to observe others
“Flipped” classroom

17. Questions?