Just like physicians engage in a medical rounds model to improve and build upon various practices and treatment plans, it is important for educators to engage in an instructional rounds model to learn, grow, collaborate, and perfect the work we do as educators.
As professionals, we hold the responsibility of providing the highest quality of service to our students, community and each other. CC Mason has some of the most talented and skilled educators yet we rarely have the opportunity to see each other in action. With that being said, we will SLOWLY develop a system for instructional rounds focused on aligning guided reading practices and our transdisciplinary themes.
Currently, our School Improvement Visits are centered around an instructional rounds model but our teachers and staff have not had an opportunity to participate in that reflective process. Teams have collaborated to establish grade level Guided Reading "Look-Fors." We will begin instructional rounds in context of guided reading and eventually incorporate a Grow and Glow feedback form to reflect on our PYP work.
Whether you are the observer or observing, it is important to remember that instructional round are NOT evaluative. The purpose of this practice to learn from each other, treat each other as professionals, focus on refinement of our instructional practices and create a culture and practice of improvement. Through this process, we will build a rich culture focused on instruction.
We have to be willing to do the work. We have to be willing to take the risk of trying something new. We have to be willing to collaborate because together, we are better.
