Observations

In June, members of the board-wide, cross-subject secondary PLC facilitated by Marian O’Connor reflected on their work together and looked for links with the Ministry of Education documents Growing Success and K-12 School Effectiveness Framework. Here are some of their observations.

• Teacher practice has improved because we got to see evidence of student learning.
  
• Talking about our practice and what we see in classrooms helps us put it into our own practice.
  
• It’s difficult to imagine a classroom without conversation and collaboration and thinking out loud.
  
• Research suggests that observing other teachers improves student achievement. We are now observing, and our learning deepens.
  
• There is as much learning for the demonstration teacher as for those observing.
  
• The doors to our classrooms are open, and other teachers are asking about our practice.
  
• We feel more comfortable talking with other teachers.
  
• We have learned to be descriptive rather than judgmental.
  
• Watching each other teach allows us opportunities to reflect on our practice in a deep and meaningful manner. It’s not just: “That didn’t work.”
  
• We are more open-minded and open to collaboration.
  
• We are open to asking questions and taking risks with each other. We support each other in taking these risks and asking challenging questions.
  
• Other teachers approach us and ask questions. Confidence has grown because of the other classrooms we have observed.
  
• We are excited about improving our practice and getting students engaged in their learning.
  
• We are personally challenged by what colleagues are doing in their classrooms.
  
• We are growing our toolbox of teaching tools, for example CL structures.
  
• Students are learning 21st-century skills such as collaboration, social skills and tolerance.
  
• It has forced us to step up our practice and reminds us of what we are still not doing regularly.
  
• Ongoing support really impacts all of our classrooms.
  
• It improves our classroom management.
  
• “Tell me something and I will forget; show me and I might remember; involve me and I will understand.”