Enhancing Instruction Through Collaborative Discussion: Insights from Dr. Richard Machesky
Join Dr. Richard Machesky, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Instruction in Troy Schools, to explore effective strategies for discussing instruction with educators. This session will cover the vital components of instruction in schools and introduce the concept of instructional rounds. Participants will discover how to facilitate impactful conversations about teaching practices, manage new legislative requirements, and ultimately improve instructional quality for students. Experience the collaborative process that empowers educators to enhance their teaching and support student success.
Enhancing Instruction Through Collaborative Discussion: Insights from Dr. Richard Machesky
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Presentation Transcript
Discussing Instruction with Your Teachers: A How To Dr. Richard Machesky Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Instruction Troy Schools
Learning Objectives • The audience will identify an important component regarding instruction in their building. • The audience will be introduced to instructional rounds and be given several items for further consideration.
Current Reality • How is time spent in conversation with your teachers?
Problem or Opportunity? • How do we create a system of practice that allows for: • Ownership of instruction • Open, honest and impactful dialogue between professionals • Cost effective – “Job embedded PD” • Help manage new legislative requirements • Most importantly – Improve instruction for the students we serve
Discussing Instruction with Teachers • Instructional Rounds • Everyone has a responsibility to work on improving their own practice as well as the school/district wide responsibility to the improvement of instruction. Everyone’s practice should be subject to scrutiny, critique and improvement.
Current practice among secondary instructional leaders in TSD • On our journey we started with one important question? • How do you know what exceptional instruction looks like when you see it? • To answer this question we dedicated our professional learning to the process of instructional rounds.
How do you know what exceptional instruction looks like when you see it? • Professional learning • 90 minutes per meeting • Book study • Article • Video examples • 90 Minutes per month is dedicated to Instructional Rounds
Instructional Rounds • Teams of 3-4 individuals that visit three to four classrooms for 10-15 minutes at a time and gather information to discuss during a debrief • Debrief takes place immediately following the classroom visits. Usually does not include the teachers that were observed • Visits and debriefs can take on many variations – but key - conversations remain non-judgmental. • What works for you and your situation
Instructional Rounds • Make it easy! • Ask your colleagues the important question: How do you know what exceptional instruction looks like when you see it? • Walk the talk • Be willing to see the process through!
References • Instructional Rounds in Education: A Network Approach to Improving Teaching and Learning (2009). City, Elizabeth A., Elmore, Richard F., Fiarman, Sarah E. and Teitel, Lee. • Email for PDF articles to be used with colleagues and staff • rmachesky2@troy.k12.mi.us
