5 Ways to Overcome Coverage Challenges During Learning Walks
Learning walks are a powerful tool for peer mentorship and coaching. It allows colleagues to observe each other in real time, taking note of the positive impact of instructional decisions. Watch live teaching with the same demographic of students under the same leadership style of an administrative team, teachers are able to easily envision what great teaching could look like in their own classroom. The benefits of learning walks are vast, but they are not without problem. Mainly, schools struggle with classroom coverage so teachers can go out in the building and observe their peers. Since this is a common obstacles schools experience and one that keeps many from engaging in this powerfully authentic professional development experience, this post will share 5 ways to overcome coverage challenges during learning walks.
Attend during Specials or Planning Time
The most simple way to logistically make learning walks work within the parameters of a jam packed teaching schedule is to use off-time during contractual hours to engage in learning walks. For example, when students are at specials or you have an additional planning block without students, use a portion of that time to complete the learning walk. Being organized for the learning walk ahead of time will ensure efficient time usage for the experience.
Instructional Coach Becomes Coverage
Sometimes, you cannot complete a learning walk (or enough rounds of peer observations to be worth it) during free time so needing someone to provide classroom coverage is necessary. Using a member of the leadership team, like an instructional coach, allows teachers to engage in a thorough learning walk experience while students are taught by a certified staff member. This coach could help multiple grade levels over several days so that all staff could participate. However, leaving time in the day for the instructional coach to complete their daily activities is important so that they aren’t left scrambling to meet the expectations of their day-to-day job.
Hire Substitute Teachers
The first two suggestions are free which is why they are the most popular solution among schools. However, sometimes those options are unavailable to schools. In that case, using school funds to hire substitute teachers allows them to manage learning walks. For example, a principal might have a substitute teacher come for an entire day but hop around classes providing coverage while grade levels take turns engaging in a learning walk. This requires school-wide planning and orchestration; however, it is the best use of time and funds when hiring a substitute teacher for coverage.
Blend Classes
A solution that is less popular because it is not what is best for teachers and students is to blend classes together. For example, a single teacher would disperse their students among the rest of the grade level classes so that each class only had an additional 3-4 students during the learning walk time frame. This requires a collaborative effort with the helping teachers so that it is a seamless transition of instruction for students. The teacher would work quickly to see a different grade level of teachers that did not have additional students in their classes. This solution is time bound and often bare bones just to get in a quick peer observation.
Do it Virtually
If all else fails, allow teachers to watch their peers teach via video tape. It lacks authenticity because you cannot feel what is happening in the room and it limits your line of sight. However, it still allows colleagues to watch each other teach, reflect on their own practice, and improve their teaching skill for the benefit of students.
Resources
Below are additional resources to help you successfully implement learning walks in your school building.
- Blog Posts:
- Downloadable Material:
Don’t let obstacles get in your way of teachers seeing each other teach. Learning walks are a powerful and transformative professional development tool.
GO BE GREAT!
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.