Missions: To use the practice of observation to learn more about particular instructional styles, management styles, class types, or students (rooted in appreciative inquiry). Also, to foster collegiality, trust, and learning amongst our Jackson HS staff.         Adapted from Learn NC http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/739?ref=search  

Background: We received a $10,000.00 grant to take advantage of this learning opportunity. The funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once we run out of this chedda, that is it for the year folks!

1.   Read the fine print and complete this application.

2.  Submit completed application to the box by the mailboxes then await approval and scheduling. See calendar below for application and schedule timeline. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat!

3.   Once approved, watch your colleagues teach.  Examples of what a teacher may want to observe: Group work, a large or small class, difficulty relating to a particular student, a teacher whose style you admire, a teacher whose class you are just plain curious about, starting and ending tasks, management, organization, etc.

4.   Refrain from any form of judgement  (e.g., saying “great lesson” all the way to “what the hell were you thinking?”).

5.   Clarify with the teacher being observed what you want to do during your observation. Is it silent observation, interactive with them/students, what they might want you to do during observation, would they want a debrief after, etc?

6.   Thank your colleague for sharing their insight(s)!

Your Name                  Email          

Requested Day for Observations            Phone          

Requested Substitute* Preference:     YES           NO  

*Substitute maximum in district is 40 subs per day.  Employee/Sub ID:             (required)   “Please arrange a sub for me”

If a substitute cannot be arranged on your date

of request, you will be notified during

the processing week.    

*Schedule will be posted near the mailboxes and via all-staff email (i.e., not individual).               

Other Questions:

1.  How flexible are you? For example, Mrs. X is planning to teach the KMnO₄ Acid-Base Titration lab that you are dyyyyyying to see on Wednesday, Jan 5 and she is not planning to move it. If you require a specific day, but something changes about that teacher’s schedule, would you still want to observe this teacher on the day you requested? Note: May require follow up.

2.  Next year, we would like to extend this opportunity to perhaps visit teachers outside of our school (remember, part of our mission is to foster collegiality and trust within our school). Though this can be considered valuable professional development, we want to see how this works locally before extending it outside of our building. Would you support the extension of this opportunity for NEXT YEAR?

*List as of 10/27/2016, sometime when Mason was emailed. See list near mailboxes for an updated list of Teachers with Open Door Policies.

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