Teachers utilize the T-TESS teacher evaluation and support system to monitor and reflect on their instructional practices. T-TESS 4:2 states "teacher reflects on his/her practice by providing peer feedback." Principals/School Leadership utilize T-PESS support system Standard #1 which states "instructional leadership is responsible for ensuring every student receives high-quality instruction." Principals/School Leadership also know the importance of ensuring there are high-quality teachers and staff in every classroom throughout the school. How can Principals/School Leadership facilitate the opportunity for teachers to improve specific teacher standards? The Bilinugal Dept. witnessed the leadership team at Manzano Middle School promote the opportunity for teachers to develop specific standards through the practice of instructional rounds. There is plenty of research on instructional rounds and its impact on classroom performance. The instructional rounds stated off with classroom observations. After the classroom observations were completed, Esmeralda Salazar, Manzano Dean of Instruction, asked teachers to share their highlight/plus observations. Each teacher provided insightful practices: identifying good instructional strategies, addressing the needs of English Learners, identifying different learning domains and recognizing the type of assessments that were taking place. I was most excited about how they were able to identify sheltered instructional practices. The open communication and instructional discussion facilitated by the leadership team was powerful. The expectation was evident from the moment teachers were waiting to begin the debriefing, Teachers and students observed continued their instruction as if no adult had entered the classroom. Instructional Rounds allows teachers and leaders the opportunity to provide peer feedback during the school year. Leadership empowering teachers increases the quality of teachers throughout the campus and facilitates the process of open communication and networking which aligns with the Texas Teachers and Principals standards.
Quality instruction starts at the top-School Leadership!