Component 4:  Describes how instruction is studied in the candidate's classroom.

    There are many indicators that help me as a teacher study instruction in my classroom.  One of the things I do is keep a journal of sorts.  I keep my lesson plans in my computer.  I print them out to keep in a book as per the policies of my school.  On the paper copy of my plans I make notes concerning the effectiveness of the lesson.  For example, I might note that the students needed to practice a particular concept more or less, or that a particular example I used to illustrate a point worked well or not well.  When I am planning to teach the concept again I look at the notes (from the semester or year before) and incorporate my experiences into the development of the new lesson.

    I have students keep  journals also.  Students write in their journals once a week.  In their journals I will ask students to summarize what we have been working on that week and give me their reaction to the ideas covered.  Click here to see sample entries.  I use the student's reaction to my teaching to incorporate changes for the next time I teach a unit. I usually record these notes on my lesson plans (as explained above) so that I remember them.

    Of course administrators observe me teach and give me a written evaluation of that observation.  There is a system for 'Teacher Improvement' where I teach.  First year teachers are observed more times that veteran teachers.  I being a veteran teacher get observed only once a year.  Click here to see sample observations.  I take the suggestions made very seriously and use them to improve my teaching.

    As the Computer Department Chairperson and the Coordinator of the Upper School I have the responsibility to observe other teachers.  This helps me evaluate my own classroom practices as well.  I have seen some excellent teaching by my colleagues that has given me renewed motivation to try new ideas and new teaching techniques.  For example, I observed a class where the teacher used a Jeopardy game approach to help students review for a test they would have the next day (fifth grade class).  The students were involved in the review, worked with their teammates, and were having a great time.  A follow up with the teacher (after she had graded the tests) confirmed how successful the game was for her students.

    As the computer teacher I have had the privilege to teach and encourage my colleagues in the use of technology in the classroom.  I  taught a series of after school classes to fellow teachers.  Some subjects covered were: word processing, presentation tools, and use of the World Wide Web.  We have discuss and shared ideas concerning the potential uses of technology with our students.  Many creative thoughts were discussed and I think I learned as much from these discussions as the other teachers present.  I also encouraged and supported teachers who implemented technology use in their classroom.  Many teachers have thanked me for this support.  Click here to see a note from a fellow teacher.  The Dean of Instruction for the Upper School and the Dean of Instruction for the Middle/Lower school also wrote a note of thanks.  Click here to see it.

    By using the above techniques, I keep a finger on the pulse of the effectiveness of my teaching.  Flexibility and change are necessary attributes when one teaches students and teachers to use technology to their advantage.  By keeping this in mind I plan to update and adjust my teaching style and content so that students and teachers get the most from my classes.