Description:
Most everyone agrees that sustainable school improvement will not happen unless we sharpen our focus on instructional leadership. Researchers and practitioners agree that we need now, more than ever, leadership that promotes research-based instructional strategies that actually work at the school and classroom level.

Most building principals are charged with the responsibility to supervise the instructional program that is delivered in their schools; but how does the principal determine which specific instructional strategies teachers can and will actually use in their classrooms?

This workshop series includes three strands that will address the following focus areas:

    •    Writing

    •    Math

    •    Science


Each workshop session includes a facilitated dialogue session with the presenter and the “Cohort Group” to extend the ideas discussed in the presentation and to discuss implementation strategies.

Writing Strand

Description:

Participants in this strand will learn what an effective writing program looks like as well as the basic qualities of good writing which all administrators, teachers, and students should know. In the first workshop session, we will concentrate on Vermont writing language, standards, and GEs, and examine how the NECAP purports to accurately address each of these elements.

Evaluation Results:

    •    Course Rating: 4.38 (Very Good)

    •    Instructor Rating: 4.61 (Excellent)

Participant Quote:

“100% useful, energizing and stimulating. Karen definitely engaged us all in the strategies she modeled. From beginning to end she engaged the participants in positive, fun rehearsals of the strategies she introduced…”


Math Strand

Description:

In this three part series, we will carefully examine these issues and provide strategies to broaden the expertise and skills professionals must have to bring an exemplary mathematics instructional program to our schools. We will explore examples of model lessons in key content area of mathematics development to illustrate the elements of an effective and cohesive lesson and to ascertain if the classrooms we are visiting actually promote mathematical thinking. We will examine the strengths and weaknesses of some of the standards-based curricula in use today. We will also examine a framework for classroom observations to help principals and peer-coaches to make informed observations and provide specific and constructive feedback.

Evaluation Results:

    •    Course Rating: 4.72 (Excellent)
 
    •    Instructor Rating: 4.90 (Excellent) 

Participant Quote:

“As a result of this class I have learned the roots of mathematics, Arithmetic and how it relates to teaching, learning styles and development of important basic skills. I hope to be able to supervise / evaluate the teaching of math in a way that is elegant as well as efficient.”


Science Strand

Description:

In this three part series we will work to broaden the expertise and skills needed to bring an exemplary inquiry science programs to our schools. We will explore models for effective science instruction and experience inquiry as adult learners. 

Evaluation Results:

    •    Course Rating: 4.81 (Excellent)

    •    Instructor Rating: 4.93 (Excellent)

Participant Quote:

“This was an excellent opportunity for school leaders and teachers to work together to plan improvement in science instruction, curriculum, and assessment.”


Cohort Group

Description:
This is a facilitated session with the presenter where a “Cohort Group” of principals can extend the ideas discussed in the presentation and discuss implementation.

Evaluation Results:

    •    Cohort Group: 4.43 (Very Good)

    •    Facilitator rating: 4.43 (Very Good)