I can't think of a better way for an administrator to get professional development - by touring schools that are teaching in new and innovative ways. The fact that these schools were rapidly growing in attendance were a testament to their growing reputations. Each member of the tour had their own reasons for joining. For me, the idea of comparing school methodologies, use of space and use of technology in a variety of educational settings was of particular interest. We toured for ten days in August of 2015. Ann (from Sydney) was our gracious and well organized guide. We were a group of eight.
We went to:
Melbourne Girls Grammar School
Hillcrest and Rivercrest Christian College
Flinders Christian Community College - Carrum Downs and Tyabb Campus
Pacific Hills Christian School
Thomas Hassell Anglican College
Northern Beaches Christian School
Stonefields School
Hobsonville Point School
Elim Christian College
You can view my FB sightseeing pictures here. or go to goo.gl/xyQgvf
Australia Quiz
PollEv.com/stevecox841
or text STEVECOX841 to 780-800-5606 to join the session. Then text A, B, C, etc.
Steep Learning Curve
After experiencing another culture, I learned a little more about what it means to be a Canadian. There were so many things that we do differently, that I felt a little naive compared to some of the other world travellers. It felt like I took a minute to poke my head out of the sand and have a peek around. I began to see a bigger picture.
I had a chance to see all of their teaching spaces, talk to their teachers, ask students questions about their learning and technology, hear from principals about their methodologies and compared them all with what we do at Heritage. I learned so many things that I have not yet unpacked all that I saw.
The following themes seemed to come up school after school:
- Christian schooling is alive and well. I saw His blessing in many ways.
- Educational delivery is always evolving. Some models of teaching are more adaptable to change than others.
- Innovation brings uncomfortable change. Many schools are still learning as they go.
- Technology and teaching spaces are powerful tools when used in addition to a teacher's strengths.
- Administration teams directed much of the school change, and were not afraid to let teachers go who did not share their vision.
Before I delve into all of the ideas that we need to explore at Heritage, let me start with a few things I learned that we won't be able to use.
Nope, sigh.
- The schools we visited all had thousands of students. They had several classes of the same grades.
- They had large buildings, updated spaces and were all in a building program of some sort.
- Their building funds came from the government, not their operating budgets or fundraising.
- And finally, (sigh) they had full administration teams.
Ideas for Change
That being said, there are plenty of take-aways that I was able to glean. Each of these topics I could spend hours unpacking with other educators who are interested in staying ahead of the curve. Let me whet your appetite with these concepts that are rattling around in my brain. I look forward to real live discussions, rather than just putting my thoughts down in print.
1) Team Teaching
In general, the schools all had innovative middle school programs. Almost all of them had spaces that housed three or four same grade classes. The spaces could accommodate large groups, with break-away areas, quiet work spaces, nook group spaces and comfortable areas to work. The concept of team teaching is fascinating. I watched as one teacher addressed their subject strength to the entire group of eighty, while the other teachers roamed, supported, answered questions and moved from group to group. In a few of the cases, there were large (75 students) multi-grade classrooms - on purpose! A split class at Heritage is not a well accepted concept.
- Can we share classes and grades and team teach?
- Would teachers want to try this?
- What if we decided to have 50 kids in a K-1 space with three team-teachers, instead of three square rooms and each teacher assigned their own students?
Schools went many different ways when they met their capacity numbers. Some started another campus in rapidly growing areas. Some started another school with a different emphasis. Some built additional sports venues and programs. Some bought more land and separated their high school from their elementary age. Others built on their current facility and opened up space for larger, team teaching venues. It should be noted that the initial phase of change brought controversy. Families moved and teachers left.
- Do we want to continue to have a one cohort per grade school with a waiting list?
- Do we want to build to accommodate more students - moving into multi-level classrooms or splits until we can host two cohorts per grade?
- Do we want to build a new campus to separate the HS from the elem?
- Do we want to create larger spaces for larger numbers of students and start team teaching?
- Do we want to start another campus with a different emphasis on the style of teaching - using the open concept?
By in large, we were not behind any school with our 1-1 devices in high school. Our online attendance, moodle and use of technology was on par or more advanced than many schools. However, they ways teachers were using their computers to teach and record their work in the middle school was more prevalent. All teachers were using various ways of presenting their materials on interactive projectors and screens, and students had devices to access this material. Teachers wrote on the walls and glass partitions, not on "front of the class" whiteboards.
- Should we move to a BYOD so we can have devices in the lower grades (1-7)?
- Would teachers use the devices enough to warrant the need for them?
- How many teachers could make the move to providing all of their material online so students could have everything on their device for access?
It would be a luxury to dedicate an administrator to working solely on staff development. That is not possible in a small school where an administrator has so many varied roles. However, there were some ways that professional development was valued more than a few times a year. I observed a variety of models that encouraged growth that the school expected to foster in their teachers. Some required that teachers meet weekly within the teacher's daily hours.
- Can we meet as a entire school staff more regularly?
- Is professional development possible where teachers can get together inside their daily routine to plan and work together with larger groups of students?
- Can we find more release time for teachers inside their regular work week to observe other like grade teachers?
- Is there more we can do to encourage or support a progression of technological tools in the classroom?
Ten of the eleven schools had teams of administrators that directed teacher progress. If they did not progress at the right rate, they did not return the following year. There were no qualms about hiring new teachers to fulfill the mandate. One of the admin team was usually directly responsible for teacher ProD, development and evaluations. Only one school saw themselves as servants to the teaching staff - trying to accommodate the teachers desires. I believe this is closest to our model of admin.
- Do we (admin at HCS) need to provide a stronger model for direction in teaching styles, models of team teaching concepts and technology use?
- Are we prepared to move away from the servant model of teacher support?
- Will the need for change force some teachers out of their comfort zone, and out of the school?
All of the buildings being build had a general concept of comfortable learning space. There were group learning areas, break out rooms, and comfy nooks everywhere. The admin offices were often one large space with break out rooms for more personal meetings and calls. Teachers had common spaces to work. Not everyone had their private rooms for work, marking and preparation.
- Do we want to move out of our "own classrooms?"
- Does the team teaching, open student space and shared work excite us or worry us at HCS?
It was difficult to compare a country that has such a mild winter with ours. Their lockers, cubbies, and playground equipment were outside and accessible year round. However, there were a few ideas that we could steal.
- Can we do more to our tarmat area?
- Should we invest in more spaces outside for seating, play and outdoor activity?
- Do we need more indoor space instead?
Wow, I was treated to some extraordinary attention by administrators, teachers and students. The schools dedicated time to meeting us and showing us what made them outstanding in their fields.
- Should we be more hospitable and set up greater tour expectations for interested parents?
- Will our building support such a tour?
- Can we do the same thing or would we want to - tour an open classroom vs. interrupt a closed classroom door?
- Should we use students as guides in our tours?
Many school had email restrictions and policies. Some limited how much mail they could receive. Some limited when they could read and answer. Some had limits on how long the emails could be before they had to call. Others ensured all emails went out only after being read and filtered.
- Are we inundated with emails enough to bring in restrictions?
- Do teachers still want paper minutes and notes, or are they learning to keep organized files online?
I saw so many wonderful, creative styles of buildings and teaching spaces. Most of the innovative spaces would need a complete relearning of teaching roles. When we start to look at a building program, we need to build for how we are striving to teach.
- Do we want to keep traditional spaces that we can have our own classrooms, students and have closing doors?
- Do we want to share spaces for Art, Music, Gym, Science, common work areas and have break out rooms?
- Where are we moving in our use of space and technology?
- How can develop a space that will suit our style of teaching?
Okay, so now you know what has been rolling around in my head, with no one from HCS to share with, no one to bounce ideas off, no one to challenge how we match up and no one to discuss change. There should be enough material and questions here for you to start the conversation.
