Classroom Management

Here is the overview of this strand, by Lead Explorer Cheryl Stover:

Would you like to

Re-energize your teaching?
Talk with colleagues about best practices for teaching
Ignite your passion for teaching?
Reflect on your own teaching practices?
Observe other instructors in the classroom?
Create collaborative connections with other faculty members?

...Then join Teaching Squares for the 2015-16 in-service!

Teaching Squares 2.jpg

How it works:

The Teaching Squares program is designed to improve teaching skills and build community through a non-threatening process of classroom observation and shared reflection.

The process involves the best aspects of peer evaluation — observation and discussion — while excluding judgment and evaluation.

Participants in a square learn about the best practices of other faculty in order to improve their own teaching.

Who’s Involved?

A Teaching Square is a group of four faculty members from different disciplines who:

Engage in reciprocal classroom visits
Share teaching materials
Reflect on classroom observations
Share best practices with colleagues

Time Commitment for RTC Teaching Squares

Participants will spend about 10 hours per quarter in Teaching Squares activities, which include:

Initial meeting (Sept. 14th In-service. If you can't attend the inservice, we will provide an online discussion.)
Three Classroom visits
Square share session Wrap-Up meeting/online discussion

Benefits

By participating in Teaching Squares you will have an opportunity to:
Observe, analyze, and celebrate good teaching,
Increase your understanding of and appreciation for the work of your colleagues, and
Enhance your own teaching based on the shared observations and reflections of your Square partners

As Easy as 4, 3, 2, 1

4 Faculty members
3 Classroom observations
2 All-squares sessions
1 Square share session 0 Evaluations

The Philosophy

The cornerstones of Teaching Squares are the positive attitudes and behaviors that create a mutually supportive, energizing environment for sharing the joys and challenges of teaching.

Cooperation and shared responsibility facilitate a team effort and a team result.

Participants develop an appreciation of quality teaching skills in themselves and their colleagues.

Engage in self-reflection to improve your own methods and techniques.

What participants at other colleges have said about Teaching Squares:

"The program is awesome so much to learn from such great colleagues!"

"I learned what other faculty on campus are doing in their classes to help students and I learned what we are on the same wavelength in terms of making our classes interactive and engaging students interests. During our lunchtime sharing, we also realized that we have common concerns about students' perceptions for college and their needs in college."

"Great opportunity to know our college better, to share experiences, and to meet such wonderful people. It was a pleasure to attend each others classes and get feedback."

It was exciting to see 'new' classes on an informal basis. I also like that we each made 3 new friends it's all about connections."

"I enjoy this program more each time I participate! My partners are so talented and are great people to work with. I learned to appreciate my colleagues by visiting their classes since they generally are from different divisions. Also since it focuses on only positive aspects it motivates you to do your best and you know you're being observed with that in mind. This program really does build community across campus. Keep this program going!"

Developed by Anne Wessely, St. Louis Community College