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In response
to the 1/23/2013 post, “Immediate Feedback After a Short Walk-thru,” a reader
writes:
SC,
We've discussed this before, but I have to put in my two cents on,
"Should I give teachers feedback after every short walk-thru?"
My answer is, “If you can, you need to try and give some type of
feedback, albeit, short and informal.”
Then I would follow your advice and meet every 3 - 6 weeks and review
trends and coach.
Why? As Brezina says, the 4th "R" is
"Relationships." Students make huge improvements/changes when
teachers make a connection with them.
Teachers are no different. If the Instructional Leader is constantly
conducting PowerWalks, teachers want to know what is being observed and if they
are doing a good job. Yet, we know that people need specific feedback. Just
saying "Good job" won't make changes. I do my PowerWalks and pick out
one thing I like. Then at the first opportunity, in one sentence tell the
teacher, "I like ___ because..." In the next sentence I say,
"You could improve ____, if you did, ____." I connect it to one of
the Fundamental 5. If I don't see them within 24 hours, I drop them an e-mail.
My final comment is, "We'll talk more about the overall trends at our next
meeting."
Now I have a specific to follow up with when we meet and I have a ton of
data from PowerWalks. Plus, my teacher is happy because I gave her some
feedback. Finally, after the teacher begins to trust you (you've built the
relationship), you do not have to give the feedback every time.
This process creates buy-in for the Fundamental Five and the change
process.
SC Response
First, I have to clarify, Brezina teaches that the only “R” is
results. Rigor, Relevance and
Relationship are tools in the pursuit of results. Playing for Lombardi will permanently shape your worldview.
Much like working for Brezina.
Second, I don’t advocate being a robot and not talking to teachers. But
I also know that in many cases, one 3-minute observation tells me nothing. I have to let my teachers know that. Which means sometimes, I have nothing
of substance to share. We all have
to be OK with that. When it comes
to classroom observations, we are all better served (observer and observed)
when the observer channels her inner golf coach.
When you take a golf lesson, the pro has you hit a number of balls while
he just observes your swing. The
pro will put you at ease, give you some encouragement and occasionally remind
you of some basics, while observing and analyzing the complex, inter-related
process that is the golf swing.
Then after watching enough swings to separate random occurrence from
typical practice, the pro will then work with you on the critical misstep (as
opposed to every misstep) that are preventing you from achieving your goals.
That’s why you visit classrooms, that’s why you collect data and that is
why you coach your staff.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
- Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
- Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
- Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
- Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
- Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation and like Lead Your School on Facebook
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