As the title implies, Performance Appraisals Made Easy emphasizes easy-to-complete teacher and staff evaluation forms to accommodate the busy schedules of practicing principals. The tools-friendly approach includes ready-made job descriptions, forms, and guidelines for teacher evaluation in learning, communication, community relations, and professional development. Support staff tools include assistance with conflict management, public relations, stress and time management, and team building. A dual-format CD containing all forms is included with the book.
In today's standards-based and accountability-driven classroom, teachers are increasingly seeking ways to demonstrate that their students know what they are learning and are aware of why they are learning it. This groundbreaking guide shows how the combination of portfolios and student-led teacher-parent conferences can increase student understanding. Using this technique, students will be able to take charge of their learning, and are able to clearly communicate the goals of their education with fellow students, administrators, and parents. Real-life examples show how the approach has been successfully applied at any level and for any subject matter. Newly added features include: Strategies for beginning the portfolio process with students; Current research findings that support student-led conferencing; Easy-to-use timelines and sample schedules; Masters that cut down on teacher prep-time; The latest information on electronic portfolios
Be prepared to manage stressful situations before they happen with proven, constructive strategies! The second edition of this best-selling resource provides new and updated content influenced by the feedback of over 250 school administrators. Managing Difficult, Frustrating, and Hostile Conversations uncovers safe and effective strategies for dispelling common sensitive situations such as handling legitimate complaints, controlling those under the influence, combating charges of discrimination, serving as the mediator, and diffusing abrasive conversations. Each chapter highlights situations identified by school administrators as most stressful; tips for managing these situations are followed by suggestions and questions for the reader that highlight how to: Understand the motives and actions behind hostile adults Become proactive rather than reactive Maintain control over volatile conversations Communicate effectively with all types of upset individuals Use this text to constructively address sensitive issues and prevent stressful circumstances from evolving into dangerous situations.
Build a school community where educators and students can concentrate on the business of learning. Rosen offers the best ideas and most workable discipline practices from more than 1,000 school leaders. School Discipline, Best Practices for Administrators, Second Edition, is loaded with updates, and gives administrators all the tools they need to create a safe environment, from dealing effectively with the 5 per cent of students who take up 90 per cent of their time, to creating a positive public image in the community. It also helps educators keep up with the latest research and effective methods while helping teachers gain good classroom management skills. Updates include: * Timely issues such as fairness of zero tolerance policies * A new chapter offering prevention strategies For both seasoned administrators and those new to the job, this book will help you ensure a safe and just school while allowing diversity and individuality to flourish. This hands-on guide contains contracts, photocopiable forms, and worksheets that you can use as they are or customize for your own school.
"This book is a fabulous resource that helps both beginning and experienced teachers examine themselves and reflect on their own teaching practices." Michelle Barnea Educational Consultant Realize, refresh, and awaken the passionate, caring, motivated teacher inside! Who was the best teacher you ever had? Can you remember the excitement and ......
From best-selling authors Gayle Gregory and Lin Kuzmich comes a versatile handbook for middle school and high school educators who need to differentiate literacy instruction for adolescent and teen learners at different stages of development along the literacy continuum. Covering the relevant brain research and specific instructional and assessment strategies for teens, Differentiated Literacy Strategies for Student Growth and Achievement in Grades 7-12 pays special attention to hooks that appeal to older learners with varying degrees of skills and competencies. Contains more than 100 planning models, checklist, rubrics, choice boards, lesson plans, and more.
Increase student learning by developing teacher leaders! Research over the years has consistently identified leadership as a critical component of school change and, as initiatives to reform the educational system have emerged, one significant line of work emphasizes teachers assuming greater leadership roles within their organizations. Connecting ......
Designing High-Quality Professional Development for Standards-Based Schools
This thoroughly revised and updated edition of Why Can't We Get It Right? includes more tools, a stronger focus on implementation strategies, key points and open-ended scenarios for reflection. Speck and Knipe explain how school leaders can plan collaborative professional development that is standards based. This book will deepen teachers' collective understanding about how to create professional development opportunities and practices. Well-designed professional development programs foster a learner-centered environment, and research has shown that improving teachers' knowledge and skills is a prerequisite to raising student performance. Speck and Knipe provide professional development designs and practices that make a difference for teachers and students, resulting in dramatically improved schools. In order for our schools to leave no child behind, teachers need access to the most current information, strategies, research, and professional learning opportunities. This unique and indispensable guide links professional development tightly to academic standards to raise student achievement. Each chapter contains: brief scenario to ground readers essential questions to provoke deeper thought about each topic tables, figures, and other visuals to illustrate key concepts, surveys, teacher professional development plans, planning worksheets, standards-based adaptable frameworks, evaluation guides, and other tools to help readers try out ideas.
