Focus Model

Focus Model

Part 1

We started the Focus Model session with a pre-assignment video reflection on Culturally Responsive School Leadership by Dr. Muhammad Khalifa of the University of Illinois. Dr. Khalifa spoke about focusing on equity for our students of color. The main topic in this session was the process of evaluations and how to give feedback to teachers. We went through the Classroom Teacher Evaluation System Handbook. This handbook gives all the information needed to understand the processes of evaluations. We then spent some time on how and when giving feedback there are three main things to think about, is it actionable and nonjudgemental, does it include data, and was the 10-day rule followed. Never let 10 days go by without going over any evaluations or you need to re-evaluate.

Part 2

In Session 8 we concentrated on Developing an Instructional Focus. We went over the Palm Beach Model of Instruction, Classroom Teacher Protocols. This is based on the work of Dr. Robert J. Marzano and Learning Sciences International and adopted by the School District of Palm Beach County. We focused on Scales and evidence, planning conference questions through standards-based lessons and aligning resources to standards, reflecting conference questions through standard-based planning and instructions, and using the desired effect to guide evaluations. This session counted toward a required training by the School District of Palm Beach.

Florida Principal Leadership Standards (FPLS)

The Focus Model, Sessions 7 and 8 follow the FPLS Domain 1: Student Achievement and Domain 2: Instructional Leadership. Specifically, Standard 1. Student Learning Results, Standard 2. Student Learning as a Priority, Standard 3. Instructional Plan Implementation, and Standard 4. Faculty Development.

Last School year I was a mentor for a beginning teacher. This was through the Educator Support Program 1 for Beginning “Emerald” Educators. The goal of ESP is to embrace, support, and prepare new teachers for a successful career as valued members of the SDPBC team. This program focuses on the Florida Educators Accomplished Practices (FEAP). I gave specific feedback throughout the entire school year following the FEAPs. In my artifacts are the program syllabus and my mentee's workbook. These show the dates I evaluated him and some of the specific feedback I gave him. In my evaluations/visits to my mentee’s classroom, I focused on Instructional Design and Lesson Planning which shows that the school’s learning goals are based on the state’s adopted student academic standards and the districts’ adopted curricula. One visit was on Learning Environment which focuses on student learning as a priority. The next visit focused on Assessment by engaging in data analysis for instructional planning and improvement. My final visit focused on Continuous Professional Improvement which this entire mentor program does in faculty development.