faculty in meetings, in quick hallway conversations, and in team professional learning com- munity (PLC) time. FLIP cameras have been used in our school to model new assessments (“how to” sessions), to document student progress, and to take real-time “notes” to enable folks to better teach particular strands. FLIP cameras are easy to use, relatively cheap, and quite contagious as they can be used by students and staff alike to capture conversation, rich instructional discussions, a science lab “aha moment” and a variety of successes in school.

2. Use Teamwork to Set the Stage and to Affirm Each Other

The principal should capitalize on the opportunity to showcase what he or she has witnessed throughout the school building. A fifth grade teacher might lead the faculty through a 20 minute lesson on variables using paper clips, a kindergarten teacher might share a warm-up sing-a-long, the PE teacher might explore ways to engage students in High-Bloom’s applica- tions by incorporating mathematics into bean bag tosses. Principals should encourage the faculty to see common ground and discover potential for bringing in successful facets to their own teaching.

Hit PLAY to watch a clip of teacher observations and collaboration.

We regularly do this by incorporating a “Faculty Share” format meeting into one of our periodic faculty meetings. This is not necessary to do every month, but it will awaken the interest and strengthen the trust and comfort level among colleagues. Now, the “stage is set” to introduce a challenge of seeing all teachers conduct their own observation in a colleague’s classrooms.

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Virginia Educational Leadership

Vol. 7 No. 1

Spring 2010