We’ve changed our professional growth structure to try to get more of that going on- essentially building around creating teacher reflection. It’s fairly new but seems to be gaining traction.

The initial work was in getting our administrators to observe and conduct the post-observation interview along the Santa Cruz model. Here’s the big picture view of what we’re doing if you can take handle the colors.

Probably this will give you the best idea of what it is supposed to look like (although I have to apologize for the awkwardness of the video).

Not perfection by any means but I think a step in the right direction towards making self-reflection part of the culture and in getting people to ask the right questions. I’ve got hope for the concept. It’s far better than the way I received classroom observation feedback.

Your last line, “If a teacher isn’t reflective, … , it isn’t happening.” implies that it is okay if it isn’t happening. There has to be some way to make it part of the school/department culture, no?

Do your departments have a culture where critique and questioning are valued? What structures are in place to make this happen?

Dan, I hear, “You always say it’s a bad idea” nearly everyday because I operate from the stance of thinking something is a bad idea until convinced otherwise. But the key way I’ve seen lessons improved is through the discussion that stance causes. If someone disagrees with me, I now have to think about why I’m right rather than just assuming it. To not say anything about a bad idea is the real disrespect.

And more classroom visitations: yes, sign me up.

i’ve complained here before;
won’t have changed your mind about anything
(& didn’t expect to)… i mention it to remark
that you referred *there* to such complaints
as an “opportunity to clarify my stance”.

congratulations on having earned
a great collection of commenters.
the clarity of your stance is of course
quite well known… much of what
one comes back for (in measured doses
in my case since i find confidence
like yours sort of hard to be around…).