How It Should Be Done

This is how real professional development and teacher evaluation works!

For a second time, one of the professors of the college where I'm pursuing my M.Ed with Reading Specialist cert, came to observe and collaborate with me.

After her observation and our debriefing, I felt empowered! She has taught in the K-12 setting and continues to teach at the graduate level! She came to observe specific teaching strategies employed when working with a small group of learners.

Based on past experiences and the latest reading research, she commended me on what I had done well and offered unabrasive, nonintrusive, very practical suggestions for how I can enhance a particular pedagogical approach and writing model!

The relationship was professional and collegial and felt very right. There was a sense of mutual respect, my respect of her years of experience and her respect of my classroom. I wish all district PD's and meager attempts at professional collaboration and observations were like this and not just about "domain 2", whatever the heck that is!

When she left, I still had a 3rd block to teach. With that class, I immediately employed her suggestions and I'm pleased with the initial outcome.

I look forward to trying this again and again and emailing her the results of my attempts.

That is how real professional development and teacher coaching and enhancement takes place! It's not a "I'm out for your job" situation! It's all about improving upon the noblest of professions, teaching!

Vygotsky speaks of that "more knowledgeable" other! Professional development, observations, and collaborations ought to be done by and with those who've "been there, done that" and have the t-shirt and key chain to prove it!