Long-Range Planning
The latest fad in my school district is providing teachers with a “Quarterly Planning” day. Substitutes take over the classroom for the day while the team of teachers meet together in a central location and plan for the quarter. The belief is that by allowing teachers time to plan effective lessons, students will become more successful. I appreciate that the district realizes investing in teachers is the way to an increase in student performance. Often times, money is spent on resources and programs that come up short. Allowing teachers time to think bigger picture, plan accordingly, and have time to collaborate with their colleagues ensures better instruction happening in the classroom.
Teachers go in to planning with intention to fill out a skeleton outline of plans for the quarter. Administration goes in with the intention of facilitating in-depth discussions about student achievement and interventions. Other support staff go in with the intention of stealing 5-10 minutes to debrief about topics related to their position (ex. Exceptional Child staff may update teachers on educational rights of students with disabilities). These three different intentions can create a day where many individuals are let down. Therefore, a discussion needs to occur prior to the actual planning day where everyone involved is aware of their role for that particular day. If someone needs to pop in really quick, a time is designated ahead of time and teachers are prepared with necessary materials to participate. This ensures clear expectations and an effective usage of time.
We recently had our Quarterly Planning day. My team decided to have all meetings with staff in the morning so that the rest of the day could be dedicated to planning. Staff members were appreciative of the invite to join the meeting and made their announcements brief. We were able to sneak out for 1.5 hr lunch break at a local restaurant and come back to plan out the quarter. Our team divided up the plans by subject. We created a skeleton outline and brought it to our next planning to discuss teaching strategies, additional resources, and any alterations to the plans. This way we had input from everyone on the team and ownership was created.
I am thankful that a substitute took over for my class. It allowed me to remain focused on the most important part of my job- planning. If I cannot put together my best presentation of material, then I am not going to give my best delivery of the content. Then the students and I both suffer. I hope many other districts across the country will implement this planning day and realize that putting money into the individuals providing the instruction instead of into programs and resources is the best route to strengthening our educational system.
How does your school coordinate planning?
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.