Archive for April 2016
Sharing Ideas
Sharing knowledge occurs when people are genuinely interested in helping one another develop new capacities for action; it is about creating learning processes. (Peter Senge) This is what we do as teachers…help one another, be it our students or our peers, grow as individuals and as professionals. We do this by sharing what we know…
Read MoreFeedback – The Language of Growth
“Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” – Ken Blanchard Years of research show that feedback is one of the most powerful influences on achievement. Daily we strive to provide quality feedback to our students, but we also must take the time to provide quality feedback to our colleagues. Feedback is the language of growth. It is…
Read MoreNew Avenues to Better Teaching
This month ERG has focused on Instructional Leadership and Peer Coaching. In one of our recent newsletters it was noted that ” Leadership in education is about learning – and not just the empowerment of student learning. As instructional leaders, teachers assume a wide range of roles to support the learning needs of students –…
Read MorePower of Yet
“There is a difference between not knowing and not knowing yet.” – Shelia Tobias Research is showing that the brain is like a muscle that gets stronger and works better the more it is exercised. Each time we work hard, take on a challenge, stretch, and learn something new, our brains form new connections and our…
Read MoreReflection = Growth
“Self-reflection is a humbling process. It’s essential to find out why you think, say, and do certain things . . . then better yourself.” – Sonya Teclai The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards states, “Thinking analytically about teaching is complicated because teaching is complicated.” Teachers generally have little time for self-analysis and reflection, yet…
Read MoreNo Quick Fixes
“Every spring, education-related newspaper and magazine stories raise the alarm that schools are teaching to the test. Scores of articles and editorials paint a disheartening picture of frustrated teachers forced to abandon good instructional practices for a relentless stream of worksheets based on boring, repetitive test-preparation materials.” Craig Jerald It’s hard for teachers to stay…
Read MoreTeachers Observing Teachers
“The most valuable resource that all teachers have is each other. Without collaboration our growth is limited to our own perspectives.” – Robert John Meehan More and more teachers and administrators are finding that peer observations are a form of collaborative professional development that truly delivers. A school culture that encourages and promotes this sharing of…
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