I'm retired now from Teachstone, but miss these compelling dialogues. I can't resist this one, thank you Lawrence.
As an observer I shouldn't have any different expectations in a male teacher than a female than transgender than a older teacher than...anyone else. But, can I honestly say that's true when I observe? Do I indeed bring my own stereotypes into the classroom observation?
Like everyone else, I do bring my stereotypes into the classroom with me, but I'm getting better at recognizing them, and I learned a couple of tricks that help. The first "trick" is to take training that help you to admit to your own biases, recognize them when they happen, and find other ways to be present and observe than your own default thinking.
Then there is being an observer that really gets how to stay true to the intent of the CLASS, and take a wait-and-see-how-it-turns-out approach. The underlying intent of the CLASS is to observe how the teacher's interactions are engaging children in ways that result in learning gains. It's takes a knowledge and adherence to the criteria, but also to watch the response of the children. Sounds simple...it's not. We have to account for the teacher's interaction and then see what the children do with it. We are used to watching the teacher.
This means that the teacher can do a lot of things that might trigger a biased response in me, but I've learned to wait and see what happens with the children. For example, I'll admit that I am biased when the children are asked to sit in circle and the date and weather charts come out, or flash cards or any sort of what is my bias about typically rote learning. But a talented teacher, male or not, can do anything with anything, even a calendar. If they make it fun and engaging and the children respond with genuine interest, I'm finding where to put my notes of evidence.
Talented teachers who know how to engage children in learning activities, even ones that trigger my biases, will hopefully never stop continuing to surprise and teach me.
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Curry Ander
Teachstone CLASS Consultant/Trainer
curry.ander@teachstone.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-24-2022 12:02
From: Lawrence Brewton
Subject: Engaging Male Teacher While Doing an CLASS Obs
How often have you done an observation of male teacher? What was some of your take aways from it positive and negative
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Lawrence Brewton
Inclusion Specialist Alliance Center for Education
Charlotte NC
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