What happens when practice is delivered with fidelity?

The practice
The instructional leaders program release time twice a term for each member of the teaching team to shadow the instruction coach in an extended classroom observation of one of their peers. The teaching team observe peer lessons to see best practice demonstrated through delivery of effective teaching techniques. Following the observation, the teaching team record their observations of their peer’s practice, with particular focus on the way it affects student engagement and learning. They discuss their observations with the instruction coach, who provides verbal feedback.

What it achieves
The purpose of peer lesson observations is to allow the teaching team to observe their peers demonstrating best practice. It utilises collaboration as a way of building the effective teaching capacity of all members of the teaching team. Additionally, it builds a culture of classroom collaboration among the entire school team, who actively work together to establish high expectations and improve their effective teaching practice to optimise educational outcomes for their students.

More detail
The teaching team support one another in their professional learning by embracing the spirit of collaboration. By sharing their classroom experience, the teaching team recognise each other’s strengths and support one another in their acquisition and refinement of skills. By facilitating and guiding this process, the school leadership and instruction coach make a clear statement about the importance of their teaching team and continuous improvement within the school. All professional learning and collaboration practice are underpinned by the desire to improve the learning experience and educational outcomes for the students.