Prince Edward County Public Schools is the first school division in Virginia to use a powerful professional development tool for teachers, the Teacher-Led Classroom Walkthrough process. The objectives of this process are to develop a positive school culture, to support a professional learning community, to increase student achievement and to empower teachers in the school decision-making process. Training provided by the UCLA School Management Program during the pilot phase last year gave teachers hands-on practice to implement the collaborative classroom observation process. On July 29, 2008, Katrina Little, 3rd grade teacher, Jessica Fortner, middle school teacher, Laura Williamson, Executor Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Dr. Patricia Watkins, Superintendent of Schools, presented a workshop on the Teacher-Led Classroom Walkthrough at the Governor’s Conference in Richmond. |
Last year, teachers learned: 1. to use a variety of collaborative strategies to collect, analyze, and act on authentic classroom observation and student learning data; 2. to design focus questions for classroom observations; 3. to participate in an observation debriefing that provide non-judgmental feedback and creates new understanding about learning; 4. to practice the art of questioning and giving feedback in ways that create trust and encourage a variety of perspectives; and 5. to identify patterns and trends in student data that suggest areas for professional inquiry. This year, teachers will put these skills into action and engage more teachers in the process. |
The Teacher-Led Classroom Walkthrough (CWI) follows a protocol that has several phases:
Preparation Phase: During the preparation phase, the teachers agree on the norms for the CWT and develop a focus question. Classroom Observation Phase: The CWT takes place during this phase, when evidence and data are collected in response to the focus question. A sample focus question might be, “What evidence do we see or hear that students are engaged in their own learning?” Debriefing Phase: In this phase, the teachers engage in conversations analyzing the data collected and reflecting on its implication for classrooms and student learning. Evidence is charted in a non-judgemental fashion and discussed by the group. Next Step Phase: During this phase, teachers agree on the strategies to follow-up the CWT. The actions are related to the focus question based on the evidence collected. |
In Prince Edward County Public Schools, teachers are taking the lead in building positive school culture and coming up with real solutions to everyday problems. Follow-up training in the process will be provided throughout the 2008-09 year to support the teacher teams. Administrators will discuss how they can support the teacher-led classroom walkthrough and develop a handbook of procedures. All teachers and administrators will read and discuss the book, Breaking Through to Effective Teaching, a Walkthrough Protocol Linking Student Learning and Professional Practice. |
