As a school leader, you must understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on your teachers. From transitioning quickly to distance learning to the unknowns of the 2020–21 school year, burnout is possible (if not probable). You should know what to watch for, and how to respond if you see that your teaching staff needs additional support.
Revising Curriculum and Assessment As COVID-19 Continues
The crisis-driven transition to distance learning was a major disruption in the 2020–21 school year. However, it also presented an opportunity to reimagine traditional education. If you haven’t already, consider redesigning your academic program to subscribe to a student-centered, outcome-based education model, rather than delivering a standards-based education.
How Should Schools Assess Students Within a Blended Learning Environment?
We anticipate that many schools will use a combination of online learning and on-campus instruction—blended learning—for the 2021–22 school year. If your school is among those considering blended learning, what grading system will you use? We outline our suggestions below.
School Spotlight: How West Side Montessori Successfully Transitioned to Distance Learning
When West Side Montessori was faced with the challenge of distance learning, its leaders understandably had much to tackle. As at-home learning relies primarily on technology—which does not fit the school’s day-to-day philosophy—the leadership needed to ensure it constructed a unified, consistent approach for each level.
Continued Support for the Faculty Is Essential in Times of Disruption
When schools face a disruption that results in financial uncertainty, often one of the first expense items cut is faculty professional development. A growth-focused faculty culture is a necessity, not a luxury. Devaluing professional growth could have serious implications for your school’s culture, enrollment, and professional excellence.
Ensure Your School Takes Care of Your Teachers
As student education continues through distance learning, it is important to consider the enormous responsibilities that fall to your teachers. Your teachers work hard and are the most visible, tangible demonstration of your program’s value to parents during this time. Here’s what you should do to take care of them.
Five Elements Necessary for Successful Distance Learning
When students are at school, they are in an environment that facilitates learning and growth. So when students learn from home, parents are tasked with creating a similar space. This helps ensure students can learn effectively.
Faculty Evaluation: Essential Expectations
In ISM’s approach to Comprehensive Faculty Development, evaluation and growth are treated as two distinct processes. We base faculty evaluation solely on a set of Essential Expectations that constitute critical areas of performance. These expectations go beyond teaching and pedagogy to include behaviors expected of a model employee, colleague, and professional.
Comprehensive Faculty Development: Why the Separation of Evaluation From Growth Is Essential
As stated in the first article in this series, “Comprehensive Faculty Development: An Overview,”* evaluation and growth have traditionally been conflated. When asked for the “why” behind faculty evaluation, the first response is often “to drive growth” or “to improve performance,” even though administrators readily acknowledge that it seldom does either. The most common challenges cited to explain this ineffectiveness include:
Five Elements of Successful Remote Meetings
Holding remote meetings requires careful planning to ensure you use the time wisely and action steps are planned and taken. We recommend using the following tactics.