A New Twist to Model Teaching

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, 5^th 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.