Linn-Mar has
35 model teachers for staff to visit, observe, and discuss teaching,
instructional strategies, and classroom management. Most teachers go into a model teacher’s room
for an observation. This year we’ve had
some model teachers offer a new twist to the term “model.”
Jen Canby, 5th
grade teacher at Westfield Elementary, has had the opportunity to go out into
other classrooms in the district and model writing and the use of
on-line spelling.
Jen has
welcomed several folks into her classroom this fall. When the question came, “Can you come to my
room and model so I can see how it works with my students?” Jen didn’t hesitate. She found some classroom coverage, packed her
teacher suitcase, and traveled to other Linn-Mar buildings.
“Sometimes
beginning a new task needs extra hands,” said Jen. “For example, not only have I helped teachers
set up an online spelling program, but I have attended the launch to
ensure that the kinks have been worked out with students. I’m willing to travel.”
Jen is also
trained on the Mixtures Science Kit. Some teachers have already visited Jen to see her teach the new curriculum. As
other fifth grade teachers get those kits in, they may consider having
Jen come model a lesson from the curriculum with their students.
As teachers
make plans to complete their model teacher visits this year, it’s nice to have
several options for them to consider. Don’t
feel like traveling buildings? Consider
visiting a model teacher within your own building, or have a model teacher
within your own school come to your classroom and model a teaching strategy or
something specific to your needs. The
possibilities for us to learn from our colleagues are endless.
In addition to these ideas and other resources
on the Model Teacher Website, we will be adding videos of our model teachers in
the upcoming weeks and months.
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