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Rising Tides: Making Administrator

Observations Work

By Maribeth Edmunds, Ed.D., Director of Secondary Education, South
Brunswick Public Schools

As a school administrator in order to provide choices for their Outreach
for over 15 years, I have observations. Instead of using an ob- In order to get started, I offer options
servation solely as a method of evalu-
conducted a fair number of ating effectiveness at a single point in as part of my outreach. Administrators
determine what they deem critical in
observations of teachers time, I have transformed the process their roles and select an area they would
by offering options. The administrator
and administrators. I have and I determine a focus according to like to investigate. Methods include, but
are not limited to, the following: a col-
probably seen hundreds of teachers, a specific need, set forth a plan, and laborative series of walkthroughs to (a)
and with the regulations found in then reflect on the shared experience gather data on a specific purpose based
AchieveNJ, I will see many more. together. on school, district or individual goals;
In my former role as principal and By using a collaborative approach, I (b) collect data on a curricular compo-
now as director, I have not only blend observations with a plan that nent of interest such as articulation; or
gained experience with our district’s is deliberate, intentional and inquiry- (c) assess implementation of a newly
supervisory model, but I have also based. Administrators take stock of their developed organizational structure re-
learned much when reflecting on skills and abilities while I connect their cently put into place. Traditional options
professional practice with colleagues. work to the professional standards for include delivering professional develop-
This year, I sought to improve my school leaders. I seek to improve their ment sessions to faculty or conducting
supervisory work by creating collab- effectiveness as administrators through parent nights. It’s their choice.
orative structures with administrators a learning experience of their choice.

Educational Viewpoints -6- Spring 2018