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Teachers Bringing Out the Best in Teachers
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Teachers Bringing Out the Best in Teachers
A Guide to Peer Consultation for Administrators and Teachers

Foreword by Edith Rusch



June 2006 | 168 pages | Corwin

Boost teacher-to-teacher collaboration and learning as a means of informal, but powerful professional development!

Most teachers have experienced some kind of formal mentoring or induction program. What these programs can miss is the meaningful daily interaction with peers that builds mutual trust and instructional collaboration-the organic, coachable moments that boost professional learning. Based on a unique investigative study of nearly 300 teachers, this powerful new resource provides informative teacher perspectives of informal, naturally occurring, teacher-to-teacher professional development. Jo and Joseph Blase use this research to identify the following five teacher behaviors that can positively influence other teachers' morale, teaching skills, and professional growth:

  • Building healthy relationships by communicating, caring, and developing trust
  • Using five guiding principles for structuring learning experiences
  • Planning and organizing for learning
  • Showing and sharing
  • Guiding for classroom management

This excellent resource helps school leaders promote a culture that encourages lasting professional development. Each chapter presents practical concepts and strategies that can occur in and out of the classroom. Educators share specific experiences and examples, showing each skill in action.

School leaders will learn what strong teacher peer "consultants" actually do that leads to improved teacher confidence and motivation, enhanced trust and mutual respect, and reflective instructional behavior among their colleagues. These cost-effective, authentic strategies will build camaraderie and leadership in your school, engaging colleagues as a team in the vital mission of all schools-educating our youth.


 
Foreword by Edith Rusch
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Preface
 
1. Teachers Helping Teachers: The Case for Peer Consultation
Introduction

 
How Teachers Learn to Teach

 
The First Source of Teacher Help: Principals as Instructional Supervisors

 
The Second Source of Teacher Help: Lead Teachers and the Move Away From Top-Down Administrative Control

 
The Third Source of Teacher Help: Naturally-Occurring Informal Peer Consultation

 
Our Study of Peer Consultation Among Teachers

 
A Portrait of Peer Consultation

 
Questions to Consider

 
Suggested Reading for Further Learning

 
 
2. Peer Consultation Skill #1: Building Healthy Relationships by Communicating, Caring, and Developing Trust
Communication as the Key

 
Four Types of Peer Consultation

 
Peer Consultants’ Communication Style

 
Peer Consultants’ Caring

 
Peer Consultants’ Building Trust

 
Summary

 
Activities for Teachers and Administrators

 
Suggested Reading for Further Learning

 
 
3. Peer Consultation Skill #2: Using the Five Guiding Principles for Structuring Learning
Experiences

 
Teachers’ Knowledge Base

 
The Educational Productivity Research and the School Effects Research

 
From Knowledge to the Development of a Professional Learning Community

 
Peer Consultants’ Guiding Principles for Structuring Learning Experiences

 
Summary

 
Implications for Practice

 
Suggested Reading for Further Learning

 
 
4. Peer Consultation Skill #3: Planning and Organizing for Learning
Teachers’ Professional Development

 
Meta-Themes of Planning

 
Getting Organized for Instruction

 
Elements of Lesson Planning

 
Teacher Tips

 
The Dark Side of Planning and Organizing for Learning

 
Summary

 
Reminders and Questions

 
Suggested Reading for Further Reading

 
 
5. Peer Consultation Skill #4: Showing and Sharing
Showing: Three Kinds of Lessons

 
The Power of Learning by Observing: A Special Form of Showing

 
Sharing: A Bounty from Colleagues

 
Summary

 
Implications for Practice and Questions

 
Suggested Reading for Further Learning

 
 
6. Peer Consultation Skill #5: Guiding for Classroom Management
Nine Guiding Principles of Classroom Management

 
Setting Up and Maintaining Classroom Routines

 
Summary

 
Questions for Discussion Among Faculty and Administrators

 
Suggested Reading for Further Learning

 
 
7. Unleashing the Hidden Potential of Peer Consultation
Introduction

 
Capitalizing on the Power of Peer Consultation

 
An Element of Academic Leadership Revealed

 
Teachers Teaching Teachers: Peer Consultants at Their Best

 
How Peer Consultation Supports the Development of a Professional Learning Community

 
Semi-Formal Collaboration Among Teachers and Its Effects

 
Conclusion: The Challenge for Teachers, Administrators, and Professional Learning

 
Coordinators to Unleash and Sustain Peer Consultation

 
 
Resource: Research Methods and Procedures
 
References
 
Index

"A great contribution to the field. Excellent examples of communication styles. The scenarios and short vignettes that demonstrate concepts are interesting and on point."

Gwen Gross, Superintendent of Schools
Manhattan Beach Unified School District, CA

"This book definitely represents a new niche in instructional improvement, offering the integration of prior research, key literature, and strategies for implementation and action."

Edith Rusch, Associate Professor, Department of Educational Leadership
University of Nevada Las Vegas

"School leaders can use this book as a tool to promote a culture that encourages professional growth and development."

PsycCRITIQUES, August 2007, Vol. 52(33)
Key features

-          Six research-based and practical skills to improve teaching and to model as an instructional leader

-          Numerous teacher voices and real examples of the six skills in action

-          A cost-effective and meaningful approach to complement formal mentoring and induction programs already in place

-          Useful graphic organizers

 

Sample Materials & Chapters

Foreword

Preface

Chapter 1


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ISBN: 9781412925952
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