Engaging Teachers In Classroom Walkthroughs

Engaging Teachers in Classroom Walkthroughs is a practical guide to planning and implementing brief but focused classroom observations that involves teachers in every step of the process. Drawing from their study of 40 schools in the United States and Canada, the authors show how administrators and teacher leaders moved teachers from resisting to embracing the practice. Readers will learn how to:

• Foster a school culture that supports walkthroughs.
• Implement the components of successful walkthroughs, such as focus and Òlook-fors,Ó data collection methods, and meaningful follow-up strategies.
• Get all teachers involved and actively participating.
• Evaluate the walkthrough process and measure its effectiveness.
• Use walkthroughs to support professional development related to the Common Core State Standards.

This book demonstrates that when teachers learn from one another in a cycle of continuous professional growth; through observation, shared inquiry, dialogue, and follow-up; they develop a sense of collegiality and a common mission. By opening their doors to their peers, they also contribute to broader school improvement efforts that positively affect teaching and learning throughout the school.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1. Defining Teacher Leadership in Classroom Walkthroughs

Chapter 2. A School Culture to Support Walkthroughs

Chapter 3. Components of Successful Walkthroughs

Chapter 4. Strategies for Getting Teachers Involved

Chapter 5. Additional Issues to Address

Chapter 6. Concluding Thoughts

Appendices

• Appendix A: Featured Schools and Demographics
• Appendix B: Study Questions for Schools with Teacher Walkthroughs
• Appendix C: Teacher Survey on Classroom Walkthroughs
• Appendix D: Walkthrough Models
• Appendix E: Sources of Focus/Look-fors and Observation Focus Areas
• Appendix F: Examples of Walkthrough Observation Forms
• Appendix G: Common Core Walkthrough Observation Forms
• Appendix H: Teacher Walkthrough in Action
• Appendix I: Evaluation of School/District Walkthroughs

References