Effective Instruction Compp 12

Carol A.

Swanson
Hamline University
Competency 16 Early Childhood Through Grade 12 Leadership

16. Early Childhood through Grade 12 Leadership

a. Articulate the alignment of curriculum from pre-school through Grade 12
b. Understand the different organizational systems and structures of early childhood, elementary, middle
level, and high schools levels
c. Ability to work with children of all age levels
d. Ability to work with parents, teachers and staff at all levels of schooling
e. Understand the characteristics of effective transitions from one level of schooling to the next
f. Demonstrate an understanding of developmental needs for children of all ages
An effective teacher must have training in teacher practice and pedagogy. Teachers must
understand how children learn and how their brain processes information. They must understand
evidence-based/research-based practice and they must be life-long learners. Teachers need to be
growth minded learners and they must also believe that all students can learn. Teachers must be
able to adapt content to match learners needs and they must have a willingness to learn about
their students needs. Teachers must be highly skilled at problem solving and be able to help
students become problem solvers. Teachers do not have to have all the answers, but growth
minded teachers strive to find out what they need to know in order to be the best teacher they can
be.
I believe to be an effective teacher you must build relationships with your students.
Students who believe that their teacher cares about them personally will most certainly work
harder, try harder and learn more. We all have experiences in school where we remember that
certain teacher who took an extra moment to get to know us personally. We also have experience
remembering the teachers that we did not feel a connection to and we probably felt differently
about that learning experience.

2
I have had the privilege to observe hundreds of hours of instruction, both as a Reading
Instructional Coach and now as an Advocate for focus and priority schools. I have specific
criteria that I am looking for in an effective classroom. Student engagement is probably my
number one indicator of a successful teacher. And, in particular, how that teacher involves
students with the learning. I am not that interested in hearing a lecture from the front of the
room, but what I do want to hear is students talking to each other about the academic content.
I also look at room arrangement. Does the room allow for student collaboration and
conversation? Are students sitting in straight rows facing the teacher or are desks/tables arranged
so students can be full participants with each other? When observing instruction, I am also
looking at the classroom environment. Is there evidence of student work on the walls? Are
sentence frames for language support present, as well as other visual supports for learners?
Another aspect of effective teaching is seeing a learning target or learning objective
attached to a standard/benchmark posted, while being able to see and hear the learning around
that learning target. When students understand their work and can articulate why they are doing
what they are doing in the lesson, it will be more effective. As a literacy coach, I want to see
students in a reading class actually reading real text and writing either in response to that text or
writing something to inform another reader. If I am observing a math class, I want to see math
discourse using problem solving, not a basic memorized formula. I want to see kids using
manipulatives and talking about how they solved their real world problem. If I am observing a
World History class, I am hopeful to hear dynamic dialogue about the topic (learning target), and
how this history is affecting our world today.
Finally, I want to see an enthusiastic teacher, excited about teaching and learning.
Students deserve to be taught by someone who is inspiring and inspires others in the learning.
3
These teachers have high expectations for themselves as well as their students. They expect
excellence from their students and they expect no less from themselves.

Effective Instruction Compp 12

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Effective Instruction Compp 12

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Effective Instruction Compp 12

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Carol A.

16. Early Childhood through Grade 12 Leadership

evidence-based/research-based practice and they must be life-long learners. Teachers need to be

about that learning experience.

criteria that I am looking for in an effective classroom. Student engagement is probably my

Another aspect of effective teaching is seeing a learning target or learning objective

how this history is affecting our world today.

You might also like