Page 20 - EdViewptsSpring2017

Reflective Leadership Practices

to Support Teacher Development

By Kimberly Lanza, Ed.D., Supervisor of Instructional Support Programs,

and Heather Rocco, Supervisor of ELA, School District of the Chathams

While reflection lives on We consistently ponder, respond, and the same principles to my department’s
one line of our teacher evaluate to ameliorate reflective edu- professional development plan. I cre-
cators. The most effective practices
ated readiness groups to help teachers
evaluation instrument, that support teachers’ reflection and learn new technology. I offered sessions
it bolsters every other component of growth are the by-product of our ongo- based on their interests. The work was
teachers’ instruction, their efficacy, and ing introspection and responsiveness productive and respectful. However, I
their wellness. Reflective educators to teachers’ needs. often wondered if it did enough.
are empowered educators who create Drawing from the perspectives of pre- After learning about Google’s infra-
dynamic learning environments for their school through twelfth grade teachers structure that allows employees to use
students. We strive to advance teachers’ from two disciplines, we will highlight 20% of their work time to engage in
consistent examination of their work the journey for two of the many innova- study that inspires them, I proposed a
and support them as they refine their tive strategies we utilize to support our similar structure to our middle and high
instructional methods. The challenge, teachers’ reflection and growth. Moving school English departments. What if
as department leaders, lies in how to forward, we will shift to first person to we allotted several hours throughout
nurture this abstract, complex skill of recount our individual experiences. the school year for teachers to work
reflection through our interactions with on projects that interested them? They
teachers who face endless demands Empowering Teachers with enthusiastically agreed. We called it
on their time and energy. Self-Guided PD Genius Hour, borrowing from another
The cornerstone of our leadership phi- I believe in differentiating instruction. As learning movement happening across
losophy is reflection. Over the past few a classroom teacher, I designed les- the country.
years, we have taken steps to cultivate sons to meet students’ varying needs. As teachers design their Professional
reflective practice and professional As a department supervisor, I applied Development Plan (PDP), I ask them
camaraderie within our disciplines. to reflect on the one topic, method, or

Educational Viewpoints -18- Spring 2017