How Can We Make Teacher Observations More Encouraging, More Productive, and Less Threatening?

12/07/21 • 11 min

New and veteran teachers generally agree that performance observations are just slightly more appealing than a root canal. In this episode, we invite a panel of teachers and administrators to explore ways to make the practice more productive and less distressing?

Follow on Twitter: @elvisepps @huels_ryan @Jenschwanke @HarrisLeads @DrYemiS

@jonHarper70bd@larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork

Dr. Elvis Epps serves as the Principal at Lake Worth Community High School in the School District of Palm Beach. He has been a teacher, assistant principal, and principal for more than 28 years. He is a veteran of the US Navy.

Ryan Huels is an Assistant Principal at Oregon Elementary School in Oregon, Illinois in Northwest Illinois. Prior to venturing into administration, Ryan was a First-grade teacher and high school basketball coach. He has a passion for creating a student-centered learning environment in his building fostered on creating positive relationships with students, staff, and stakeholders.

Jennifer Schwanke has been an educator for 20 years, teaching or leading at all levels. She is the author of You’re the Principal! Now What? Strategies and Solutions for New School Leaders. In addition to her blog, she publishes frequently on the Choice Literacy and Lead Literacy websites as well as Education Week Teacher, Principal, and Principal Navigator.

Dr. Denita Harris is a Curriculum Coordinator for the MSD of Wayne Township, Indianapolis, Indiana. She has over 20 years of experience as a teacher, assistant principal, and district-level administrator. She is the recipient of the 2019 INTESOL (Indiana Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Best of the Best in K-12 Education.

Adeyemi Stembridge, PhD is an educational consultant specializing in equity-focused school-improvement. He is a coach and thought-partner to teachers and administrators with an interest in the design of culturally responsive systems and learning experiences for students.

Follow on Twitter: @elvisepps @huels_ryan @Jenschwanke @HarrisLeads @DrYemiS

@jonHarper70bd@larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork

Previous Episode

Why Teaching American Slavery With Integrity and Transparency Benefits All of Us and How to Do It Better

We are still struggling to come to grips with American slavery and now the heightened dissonance around the topic has spilled into our classrooms. In this episode, we talk about the challenges of teaching about slavery and how to navigate them with integrity, transparency, and efficacy.

Follow on Twitter: @larryferlazzo @sarahsoonling @kproctor1517 @alicemercer @bamradionetwork @jonharper70bd

Keturah Proctor has over 20 years of experience in education advocating for students through an Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist lens. Ms. Proctor is the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and District Curriculum Coordinator in her district, Regional Equity Professional Development Facilitator, Education Ambassador for the National Public Education Support Fund and Community Activist.
Dr. Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn is an educator, speaker and professional learning facilitator. She is currently the Professional Development Manager at Learning for Justice.

Alice Mercer teaches fourth grade at an elementary school in Sacramento, CA. She started her career in Oakland, Ca, and moved to Sacramento in 2001. She is the parent of a now-adult son with ASD, and is a caregiver to her husband who is medically fragile. Alice is active in her union and on social media.

Next Episode

A Quick Primer: Using Arts and Crafts to Achieve Student Learning Objectives More Effectively

We all know that arts and crafts can just be enjoyable busy work or a tremendous way to activate student learning. In this episode, we explore practical ways to use arts and crafts more effectively.

Follow on Twitter: @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd
@mikekaechele

Jerilou J. Moore, Ph.D., Professor Emerita at the University of Mississippi School of Education, has taught art classes for teachers. She enjoys showing preservice and in-service teachers how to integrate the arts to aid physical and social emotional development of children and enhance learning through creative thinking and problem-solving. Moore developed ideas for children’s art over the years during the time she was an elementary principal, administrator, teacher, art judge, and university professor. She has shared her ideas at numerous early childhood conferences. She was twice awarded Teacher of the Year by students and faculty at the University of Mississippi School of Education.

Kerry P. Holmes, Ed.D., is a Professor Emerita of Elementary Education at the University of Mississippi. Her research and publications are in early childhood education, vocabulary, and early reading. She was awarded The School of Education Outstanding Researcher and Outstanding Faculty researcher. She taught kindergarten and 1 st grade for five years in California, was a substitute teacher in special needs and K-12 classes in Virginia and taught 1st grade in a critical needs school in Mississippi. She is co-author of The A in STEAM: Lesson Plans and Activities for Integrating Art, Ages 0-8.

Mike Kaechele leads Project Based Learning and Social and Emotional Learning workshops around the country helping teachers make the shift to student-centered inquiry. His passion is inspiring educators to design SEL infused PBL curriculum for all content areas and age levels. During 20 years of PBL teaching, Mike has taught social studies, math, STEM, and STEAM classes.