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The Telescope Network creates opportunities for BPS educators to improve our collective practice through collaboration and connection in educator-led professional learning across the district.
The Telescope Network creates opportunities for BPS educators to improve our collective practice through collaboration and connection in educator-led professional learning across the district.
To do this work,
We ASK educators what they want and need to learn next in order to best serve their students
We MAGNIFY effective and equity-centered practices by elevating peer expertise across schools
We CONNECT educators to professional learning, resources, and each other based on their needs and interests
What's happening now?
What's happening now?
12/8 Presentation at Learning Forward Annual Conference: Using Improvement Science to Strengthen Educator Learning
12/8 Presentation at Learning Forward Annual Conference: Using Improvement Science to Strengthen Educator Learning
(12/8/2025 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.) Explore a collaboration between a large district and a teachers union that uses improvement science to structure professional learning driven by educator needs. See how this collaboration supports teachers to learn together, and how leaders are building new ways to understand the impact of educator learning on practice and on students.
(Learning Forward Annual Conference Session 1233)
Presenters:
Dr. Malcolm Andrews Boston Public Schools Telescope Network
Catherine Stoddard Boston Public Schools Telescope Network
12/11 Addressing Secondary Math Gaps Connect & Share Webinar
12/11 Addressing Secondary Math Gaps Connect & Share Webinar
Are you a secondary math or AP STEM teacher puzzling through how to balance your course curriculum requirements with the need to build students' foundational skills? Join the BPS/BTU Telescope Network for a Connect & Share to collaborate with BPS secondary math colleagues on this topic. We will discuss how to cover grade-level content while catching students up on missing skills. This session will feature presentations on best practices from three secondary and AP math teachers from across BPS
During a Connect & Share panel discussion, participants hear from BPS colleagues about what’s working in their classrooms and schools. Presenters typically share a 10-minute presentation about an effective practice. Participants connect with peers from across BPS and get new ideas.
Recent Reports & Publications
Recent Reports & Publications
11/25 Telescope Network 2024-25 Annual Report
11/25 Telescope Network 2024-25 Annual Report
Since 2018, the BPS/BTU Telescope Network has incorporated educator voice and district priorities to create hyper-relevant professional learning experiences where educators learn from and with their peers. In this report, you can read more about the impact of our work. According to an independent assessment by the Wheelock Education Policy Center (WEPC):
Since 2018, more 32% of BPS teachers have voluntarily joined at least one Telescope Network PD session. From 2022-24, more than 40% of district teachers engaged with Telescope.
In 2023-24, nearly 60% of BPS students had at least one Telescope-participating teacher.
Last year, 881 educators earned 4210 PD hours by attending Telescope Network sessions.
This work is both engaging (98% recommend) and impactful (fostering improvements in educator practices and mindsets).
Telescope Network’s work has been evaluated by WEPC/RPPL, shared at national conferences, and published in the Teachers College Record and other publications.
11/25 Literacy Development For All
11/25 Literacy Development For All
(11/2025 Boston Union Teacher) Over the past few years, there’s been a quiet revolution rumbling across BPS. It started in 2022 with a handful of teachers getting together to form a book study group. Currently, it includes more than 300 BPS educators from across the district who have been coming together to improve learning and living conditions for their students with severe disabilities. These revolutionary approaches have spread across schools and across our central office as well. What’s this revolution about? Emergent literacy ...
6/25 Spring 2025 Needs Assessment Report
6/25 Spring 2025 Needs Assessment Report
From February to April 2025, the Telescope Network shared this survey with educators across Boston Public Schools. We received 705 survey responses from 114 different BPS schools and Central Office Departments.
2/25 Teachers and coaches learn together at Boston’s learning sites
2/25 Teachers and coaches learn together at Boston’s learning sites
(2/2025 The Learning Professional) Biology teacher Sarah Benat stood at the front of her classroom at Brighton High School in Boston, moving her arm up and down to mimic the slope of an increasing, decreasing, or constant line on a graph. Her twelve students, all in the early stages of learning English, responded to each arm movement with a. . .
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Peer Observation Checklist
Peer Observation Checklist
One of the best ways to improve your practice is to observe someone else doing similar work. During a peer observation, you can observe a BPS colleague. After the observation, you’ll have time to debrief and set goals to bring back to your own classroom. Use our updated peer observation checklist to prep your observation & debrief. Contact us if you want help finding a connection or facilitating your visit.
Educator & Staff Spotlight
Educator & Staff Spotlight
At the BPS/BTU Telescope Network, we magnify effective practices from across the district. We continually ask, “Who’s doing this work well?” and create opportunities for peer leaders to share their expertise with others across the district. Please use this quick survey to spotlight an effective educator or staff member.
How will this info be used? Bright spot educators highlighted below may be asked to help give feedback on our strategic plan. Additionally, the Telescope Network maintains a database of recommended educators who may be asked to host peer observers, facilitate PD sessions,, or lead in other ways.
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