Teacher Leadership Today

A 'Digitally Speaking' Tempered Radical

Charter TLN member Bill Ferriter's new monthly column for ASCD's Educational Leadership magazine, to be called Digitally Speaking, has debuted in the new September issue — along with a new design for EL that is more...um... digy. l. Bill’s first installment is appropriately titled “Taking the Digital Plunge” and covers familiar Ferriter themes that can be summed up as “Get in the pool!”

Bill’s co-authored book from Solution Tree will be coming out in September -- it's titled Building a Professional Learning Community at Work™: A Guide to the First Year.

Bill’s popular Tempered Radical blog appears on the Teacher Leaders Network website.

Beginning-of-Year Assessment Data: What Helps Teachers Most?

What assessment data is most helpful to teachers at the beginning of a new school year? How helpful is standardized test data in determining the specific needs of your brand-new students?

Veteran high school English teacher Renee Moore (left) has been pondering this question. In a recent comment at a colleague's blog, Renee wrote: "I remember a book about standardized testing and (the assessment of) reading in which the authors showed how easily such data could be misconstrued to make very wrong assumptions about students' abilities."

At her own blog TeachMoore, Renee (who now teaches HS and community college students) shares some of her assessment routines at the start of the school year. Through the use of a timed personal essay, lots of teacher analysis, the potential use of other home-made assessments of grammar and usage -- followed by individual conversations -- she is able to gather a lot of discrete information about her students' achievement levels and help them develop goals for the course/year.

"What could we accomplish for students if we took even a portion of the funds being bestowed on the testing industry and used that to better train and support real authentic assessments by professional classroom teachers?" wonders this Carnegie Scholar, Milken winner and former Mississippi Teacher of the Year.

Another Teaching Secret: Establish Your Professional Identity

We recently posted a collection of Teacher Magazine articles by TLN members — all aimed at helping novice teachers get off to a good start this school year.

We didn’t include this excellent essay by David B. Cohen, a high school English teacher in Palo Alto, CA, because his advice on how to “Establish Your Professional Identity” struck us as a little advanced for teachers who are still struggling to wrestle their first classrooms into shape.

But maybe we were wrong about that. And it’s certain that David’s article will be valuable to any teacher who is taking up residence in a new school. It’s all about getting off on the right foot.

“(A)lthough the students and the classroom are your top priorities,” he writes, “it’s never too early to think carefully about how early experiences in your career can help you establish a professional identity—about how you can collaborate with others and engage in the profession.”

It's smart advice we haven't seen anywhere else on the Web.

TLN Book Reviews and Interviews

Members of the Teacher Leaders Network regularly comment on professional books that may be of interest to colleagues. Below you'll find links to our most recent reviews, as well as several author interviews conducted by TLN moderator John Norton.

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REVIEW: Notebook Connections: Strategies for the Reader’s Notebook
 (Aimee Buckner)

An effectively written balance between the philosophy and purpose of reading notebooks and the modeling of effective strategies to support them. — sixth grade teacher Kathie Marshall

REVIEW: The Book Whisperer – Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child (Donalyn Miller)

This book is chock full of literacy wisdom that I myself would like to see schools embrace as they look for strategies that will boost student achievement in reading but also bolster students’ reading dispositions. — Cindi Rigsbee, reading specialist

INTERVIEW: Donalyn Miller, author of The Book Whisperer

"I think that my credibility with other teachers lies in the fact that I am a classroom teacher... Without the constant interaction with children and my own responses and reflections about my teaching, my contribution is not as valuable."

REVIEW: Making History Mine: Meaningful Connections for Grades 5-9 (Sarah Cooper)


The entire book offers teachers the opportunity to gain a fresh approach to teaching strands of history…Through her use of diverse examples, the author is able to keep readers thinking about how they might apply strategies in their own classrooms. — Patrick Vernon, middle grades social studies

REVIEW: Timesavers for Teachers: Book 2 (Stevan Krajnjan)

Any book that can save a busy teacher time is worth some attention. This is not a typical teacher book to be read cover to cover or scanned for lesson ideas. It’s really more of a tool kit, and its usefulness will depend on what you teach and how you go about your work. — Laurie Wasserman, special needs

REVIEW: Never Work Harder Than Your Students and Other Principles of Great Teaching (Robyn R. Jackson)

Jackson builds her work on the premise that the most effective teachers have what she calls “the master teacher mindset.” This mindset is built around a set of seven principles that Jackson says master teachers use to guide their practice. — Gail Tillery, high school English/mentoring

INTERVIEW: Anne Jolly, author of Team to Teach: A Facilitator’s Guide to Professional Learning Teams

"Effective PLTs are teacher leadership hothouses. They’re places where teachers increase their professional knowledge and leadership skills – and they can also serve as perfect vehicles for teachers to begin to put leadership into action at several levels."

REVIEW: Successful Single Sex Classrooms: A Practical Guide to Teaching Boys and Girls Separately (Michael Gurian, Kathy Stevens, and Peggy Daniels)

This book is very useful for all teachers, in that it really describes excellent instruction, with one of the best summaries of techniques and strategies for teaching and classroom management I have seen in a very long time. — Laura Reasoner Jones, technology teacher

REVIEW: Better Answers: Written Performance That Looks Good and Sounds Smart (Ardith Davis Cole)

The “Better Answer” protocol is straightforward enough to work with younger age students in elementary school and yet sophisticated enough to work with high school students. It has worked in diverse classroom settings from all over the country. — Marsha Ratzel, middle grades math/science

REVIEW: Rigor is NOT a Four-Letter Word (Barbara R. Blackburn)

I often find that professional reading simply affirms many of my current practices in the classroom. Here, I was not hoping for affirmation but for something to improve my instruction at this advanced stage in my career. I was not disappointed. I found this book to be both realistic and respectful. — Karen Molter, high school English

REVIEW: Awakening the Sleeping Giant: Helping Teachers Develop as Leaders (Marilyn Katzenmeyer and Gayle Moller)

The new edition of Awakening the Sleeping Giant...continues to stand as a practical and effective foundation for the work of developing leadership in teachers — a kind of primer around the basic rationale for paying attention to teachers' craft and collegial knowledge, and a self-help plan for teachers interested in building their own leadership skills. — Nancy Flanagan, music education

INTERVIEW: Gayle Moller, co-author of Awakening the Sleeping Giant

"School system leaders have begun to acknowledge that they’re not getting the results they would like. And many realize that mandates and limited professional development are not effective ways to improve results. The perceptive district leader is now turning to teachers who are competent and can work with their colleagues at the school building level."

REVIEW: Building Teachers' Capacity for Success (Pete Hall & Alisa Simeral)

The framework of peer coaching and formative evaluation outlined in Building Teachers’ Capacity for Success certainly seems to provide a promising structure for elevating discussions about teacher quality above the usual frustrated tones that tenure clauses can create. — Ellen Holmes, Distinguished Educator, Maine Department of Education

Teaching Secrets: Great Advice for New Teachers

 What new teacher, fresh through the classroom door, wouldn’t welcome a wise and experienced voice, ready with practical advice? This selection of “Teaching Secrets” articles were written for Teacher Magazine by members of the Teacher Leaders Network. For the price of free registration, novices can take advantage of several hundred years of accumulated wisdom. We’ve tried to arrange them in priority order, but jump in anywhere you like.

And thanks, experts, for this teacher leadership.

Teaching Secrets: FIVE TIPS FOR THE NEW TEACHER
Cindi Rigsbee, a finalist for 2009 national teacher of the year, shares her five favorite comments to new teachers in her middle school. Rigsbee begins with "Hit the floor running and breathe when you leave" and ends with "Don't hide your light under a bushel." Other veteran teachers are leaving additional tips in the Comments section.

Teaching Secrets: THE FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL (PART 1)
Veteran elementary teacher and Milken award winner Jane Fung looks back on her first years in teaching and thinks of all the things she wishes she had known then – and wants to share now. In Part I: Quick pointers, school procedures, surveying your first classroom.

Teaching Secrets: THE FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL (PART 2)
Elementary teacher and mentor Jane Fung looks back on her first years in teaching and thinks of all the things she wishes she had known then – and wants to share now. In Part II: Adjusting to a new grade level; working with parents; when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Teaching Secrets: HALLWAY HINTS
We put this scenario before the Teacher Leaders Network: It’s the first week of school... You’re a veteran teacher who’s rushing toward your classroom with the last armload of materials from your car. You spy an impossibly young adult, apparently frozen in place in the hallway. Your quick diagnosis: NTSS (new teacher shock syndrome)... Your heart reaches out. But your head says you can spare only two minutes right now. What’s your best advice? Read some of what our K-12 experts had to say.

Teaching Secrets: MORE HALLWAY HINTS
Even more quick advice from TLN’s K-12 experts, including: “Let students do the work,” “Plan, plan plan,” “Take time to marinate,” “Remember kids will be kids,” and “Don’t take it personal, but make it personal.”

Teaching Secrets: TAMING CLASSROOM CHAOS
"My classroom is not neat and tidy and shiny like some," writes math and social studies teacher Cossondra George. "It has that homey, lived-in, loved look. The tables are never quite in perfect straight lines…and my teacher desk looks like a recycling center exploded on it." So how does the semi-organized teacher hold the Mighty Dragon of Chaos at bay? In this article, Cossondra shares 10 "stolen" strategies that help her and her kids stay focused on learning.

Teaching Secrets: HOW TO SMILE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
When Kathie Marshall entered her first classroom nearly 30 years ago, “I found myself running to veteran teachers at the first sign of trouble, asking ‘What do you do?’ Without fail, she remembers, someone would say, “Don’t smile until Christmas!” Their advice to assume a “grim and commanding presence” didn’t square with Kathie’s vision of an inviting teacher. Her alternative? Early in the year, she and her students work together to develop class rules and routines. It’s worked for three decades, says the Los Angeles teacher-coach.

Teaching Secrets: TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR CLASSROOM
As mentoring coordinator at our large suburban high school, writes Gail Tillery, “I’m in charge of inducting about 25 teachers a year. Usually, these novice educators are very young—most have just graduated from college... Suddenly they may find themselves standing in front of a room filled with 35 seniors, some of whom are only three years younger than they are. In many cases, the disaster is coming on fast.” Dodge the disaster with this National Board Certified Teacher’s advice.

 
Teaching Secrets: ORGANIZING MIDDLE SCHOOLERS
Special education teacher Laurie Wasserman shares time-tested methods that can help even the most “organizationally challenged” sixth grader find his or her way. “It’s hard sometimes to realize that students don’t deliberately misplace papers, forget pencils, or lose track of assignments… It’s our job to teach them the tools and strategies for getting organized and feeling successful.”

Teaching Secrets: STUDENTS BEHAVE WHEN TEACHERS ENGAGE
Anthony Cody began his teaching career in inner-city Oakland CA almost 20 years ago. It was a rough first year, with many lesson preps. “My credential program had not really dealt much with behavior issues. The idea was to deliver a rich curriculum, and the management would take care of itself. If you are already teaching, you know this does not always work.” After floundering the first year or two, he got some good advice from down the hall. Follow his tips and you won’t have to way a year or two to establish a harmonious classroom environment.

Teaching Secrets: THE PARENT MEET-AND-GREET
Parent nights send "chills up the spine of many teachers," says NBCT Marsha Ratzel. Her article is aimed at helping novice educators prepare for a successful parent meet-and-greet experience. Filled with practical tips and survival strategies. Don't get lost in the details of your classroom, she says. Most parents want to know two things: (1) You're going to treat their child fairly; and (2) You are committed to teaching both the curriculum and other skills well. “Parents want reassurance that you'll listen to them as a valued partner in their child's school year."

Teaching Secrets: USE LEFTOVER CLASS TIME WISELY
This July 2009 article by high school teacher Larry Ferlazzo got 10,000 hits the first 48 hours after posting. It's filled with good ideas about making the most of those leftover minutes between the end of the planned lesson and the bell. Many of the ideas will work with middle and elementary kids, too. If you like what you read, link up to his popular teacher resources blog, Websites of the Day.

Teaching Secrets: ASK THE KIDS!
Fourth-year teacher Ariel Sacks has spent her short career in the inner-city NYC schools. In the middle of her second year she had a revelation, triggered by once-excited eighth graders who were now "yawning, poking one another, throwing paper balls, and complaining during class." Ariel's first reaction was to bristle. Then her a-ha moment arrived. Why not ask the kids what they wanted that they weren't getting? Teacher and students began talking -- and negotiating -- and a new, more positive atmosphere emerged.

Teaching Secrets: THE MIRACLE OF CHOICES
Stubborn two-year olds respond to choices, why not adolescents? That was the thesis Mary Tedrow began with, some years ago, when she devised an engagement strategy that allows her high school English students latitude in selecting assignments. Which are, of course, carefully designed to produce the same learning effects – whatever they choose! As you’ll see in the Comments section of this Teacher Magazine essay, middle schoolers like to be choosy, too.

Teaching Secrets: PRIMING THE STUDENT LEARNING PUMP
New-teacher mentor Kathie Marshall tells the story of a novice middle school teacher who learns some important lessons about student engagement. One reader commented: “As a first year teacher, this was a refreshing article to read and relate to. I know that engaging students is the key to their success, but I, too, became overwhelmed with the curriculum and ignored the most important factor of teaching.”

Teaching Secrets: WHAT KIDS WISH TEACHERS KNEW
When NBCT Laurie Wasserman sat down with Talia to reminisce about the high school sophomore's middle school days, she soon found herself jotting down "candid insights from the other side of the teacher's desk." Wasserman's report on what middle school kids want teachers to know about their learning preferences includes useful reminders for any educator who hopes to reach and engage adolescents.

Teaching Secrets: BRIDGING THE GENDER GAP
Laura Reasoner Jones says it can take some self-scrutiny to determine whether boys and girls are being treated equally in your class. An NBCT with a background in both early childhood and elementary grades, Jones lays out a series of strategies that teachers can employ to avoid unconscious gender bias.

FINALLY, while this isn't part of our Teaching Secrets series (yet), TLN member and TweenTeacher Heather Wolpert-Gawron has a great "Top 10" blog post titled "How to Take Control of Your Teaching" that has advice for newbies and veterans alike.