Page 3 - Toolkit

Teacher Tag Outs
This is coming from Kathy Hamilton-Brown at Suntree Elementary.
She works with teachers to identify their current curriculum and what days would be best to do a surprise “teacher tag-out.” This means she takes over teaching that period and the teacher gets to sit in and observe other teachers and their styles.
This gives administrators time in the classroom and teachers a chance to see other styles in action. It also gives students an opportunity to interface and build relationships with administrators in a different capacity.
Here’s what some of the teachers who have done the “tag out” have to say:
“Observing other teachers is a great opportunity for gaining new perspectives as to class management, interaction with students and delivery of curriculum. These things will make a teachers realize that they don’t have to reinvent the wheel when it comes to planning.”
“The “Tag Out” program would be especially beneficial to teachers, like me, who are new to the profession. Observing the pedagogy of other teachers would provide me with a new perspective on the lessons we teach. Each teacher brings their own experiences into the classroom. A new teacher lacks the wisdom of experience, and this program would allow me to incorporate the knowledge and applications of other more experienced educators.”
“I really like the idea of observing a fellow teacher. Vertical observations allow teachers to work together to help more students by acquiring the academic skills necessary for success based on grade level alignment. Over the years, I have found that vertical observations have helped me to better understand grade level academic areas, how students communicate with each other and their teacher, and how cooperative learning is utilized. Also, I gain a better understanding of the curricular design and the structure of the environment that encourages achievement at all levels for the students.
This is beneficial because I can prepare my current students for the upcoming school year based on grade level needs.”