Administrator Collaborative

For the past five years, TCS administrators and teacher leaders have met throughout the year as the TCS Administrator Collaborative.  We started the Administrator Collaborative so that administrators in our district would have the opportunity to learn together and from each other.  We wanted leaders throughout the district to have time to share their ideas with one another and to be able to ask questions of their colleagues.  It is important, actually critical, for leaders to continue to learn on a daily basis.  That learning doesn’t happen unless it is intentional and planned.  Leaders get busy and often put their own learning on a back burner. 

Five years ago, I don’t believe we had a common language or shared vision for high-quality instruction.  Walkthroughs with feedback that included evidence without judgement were not common.  Peer observations were rare.  Today, all of these things take place routinely in our schools and departments because we have discussed, read, practiced, and learned together.  Through our collaboration, we have instituted important expectations for teachers and administrators through our TCS Educator Effectiveness.  As we finish up our fifth year of Administrator Collaborative, take a look back at our learning.

Purpose of Administrator Collaborative
To improve student learning
To improve teacher practice
To implement an evaluation model that aligns with instructional focuses and guides stakeholders in shared understanding of a research based, K-12, Educator Effectiveness model

Year 1 Walkthroughs and Collaboration
To share data from each school
To share ways we are facilitating professional growth
To share walkthrough updates from each school
To read and discuss Engaging Teachers in Classroom Walkthroughs
To discuss rationale for involving teachers as leaders in walkthroughs
To develop procedures and a protocol for walkthroughs
To discuss creating a school culture that supports walkthroughs

Year 2 Developing a Collaborative Culture
Read and discuss Cultures Built to Last, Systemic PLCs at Work
Create a collaborative culture in schools with a focus on learning
Understand why systemwide reform is most effective
Review and revise district Strategic Plan and Professional Development Plan
Share ways we are facilitating professional growth
Develop procedures and a protocol for walkthroughs
Share walkthrough updates and data from each school

Year 3 Implementing TCS Educator Effectiveness
Implement TCS Educator Effectiveness
Read and discuss Leading with Focus

Year 4 Looking Closely at Instruction
Read, discuss, and share strategies from Learning That Lasts by Ron Berger.
Develop a clear understanding of the TCS Educator Effectiveness Plan
Share ways we are facilitating professional growth and building expertise of the TCS Nine Indicators for Effective Educators
Participate in classroom walkthroughs with debriefing discussions to improve practice
Share walkthrough updates and data from each school

Year 5 Making the Most of Observations, Walkthroughs, and Feedback
Participants join colleagues in walkthroughs at various schools focusing on specific best practices (content knowledge, well-managed classroom, rigor and relevance, learning targets, positive classroom environment, formative assessments, academic discourse, active engagement, etc.)
After the walkthroughs, participants discuss their walkthrough data and compile appropriate feedback to be given to teachers.

Notice the purpose of the Administrator Collaborative.  Our goal was always the same - improve teaching and learning.  That must remain a priority for a school system.  Our purpose is to educate.  Improving teaching and learning is hard work, not for the faint of heart, nor for anyone afraid of getting down in the messy work of learning.  I am proud that together, this group worked and learned in order to achieve that goal.  Teaching and learning has improved, and it must continue to improve every year.