The majority of the article was originally published in the Deerfield Review April 23, 2014
The Deerfield Review asked if we would make regular contributions; as a result, we created a column, “From the Superintendent’s Desk.” The articles will be about 400 words – not too in depth, but a great opportunity to give the community highlights of our important initiatives. Our aim is to make monthly contributions! Our first article, linked here is reproduced here along with additional resources describing Instructional Rounds Since the publication of the article, we have also “made our rounds” at Wilmot School!
In an effort to communicate with the community on a broader scale, I am writing this column to stay connected! As brief background, I have been a middle school social studies teacher, a middle school associate principal, principal and assistant superintendent for personnel services. This is my second “superintendency” after having spent three years in District 79 in Norridge, Ill.
In DPS109, our motto is “Engage, Inspire, Empower” and that comes from our mission statement. Our aim with this news column is to share what’s happening from DPS109 so our community is better informed about the exciting work going on in our classrooms each and every day.
Something of interest that we are starting to implement this spring is called Instructional Rounds (IR). These are team visits to schools by administrators and teachers from across the school district. It’s based upon the medical rounds concept where teams of medical doctors and professionals “make their rounds” in the hospital checking on patients and collaborating on best methods for treatment.
Noted educational researcher Robert Marzano states: “…the primary purpose is for observing teachers to compare their own instructional practices with those of the teachers they observe. The chief benefit of this approach resides in the discussion that takes place among observing teachers at the end of the observation as well as in subsequent self-reflection” (ASCD 2011).
Under the leadership of Jeffrey Zoul, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, and members of the teacher leadership and administrative leadership teams, we are “making our rounds” in an effort to inform instruction.
An example comes from a recent inaugural rounds experience at Walden School. The school focus areas were on student engagement and questions teachers ask students and questions student ask each other. After 10, two person teams conducted four, 15 minute observations of teaching and learning — the equivalent of 10 hours worth of instruction — clear patterns emerged for discussion and review.
For example, observers noticed clear patterns where students were actively engaged in their classrooms (K-5 and specials areas) as evidenced by their questions, their behavior, and their work in class. The observers also noticed how technology tools were used across the board to aid teachers in the engagement of learning.
Through the Instructional Rounds process, scheduled for all of the schools this spring, we can continue the internal discussions around engagement, inspiration, and empowerment in support of student learning and teacher instruction.
To learn more about Instructional Rounds, here is a link to a 12-minute podcast with one of the authors of the original book.
More Resources (provided courtesy of Dr. Zoul)
Link to Book:
Link to Podcast:
http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news-impact/2013/12/harvard-edcast-making-the-rounds/
Links to Articles:
Teachers Observing Teachers: Instructional Rounds:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/instructional-rounds-ells-observations-elena-aguilar
Why Aren’t School Leaders More Like Doctors?
http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3754210
Supporting Teacher Growth with Instructional Rounds:
http://www.wholechildeducation.org/blog/supporting-teacher-growth-with-instructional-rounds
Using Rounds to Enhance Teacher Interaction and Self Reflection: The Marzano Protocol:
http://www.iobservation.com/files/Marzano-Protocol-Using_Rounds1009.pdf/
Through Rounds, our BIG 5, and commitment to growth and learning, we Engage, Inspire, Empower each and every day!