Supporting A Comprehensive Approach To Supervision

Supporting a Comprehensive Approach to Supervision

18th National Education Conference 4th July, 2005 Nassau, The Bahamas Sharon L. Poitier S.E.O. (Social Studies)

Critical Questions Germane to Supervision

What role should supervision play in the education process?

Does it improve productivity and encourage teaching excellence?

Are education leaders doing enough at the school, district and central office levels to ensure that teachers are performing at outstanding levels?

Why do you Supervise?

Functions of Supervision Cheerleading

Facilitating

Stimulating

Problem Solving

Saphier, John How to Make Supervision And Evaluation Really Work (1993)

Functions of Supervision (Cont’d) Monitoring

Directing

Making Decisions Remediating and Dismissing Valuing Teaching as a Profession Saphier, John How to Make Supervision And Evaluation Really Work (1993)

What is the current state of supervision? At the school: Observation is usually conducted by HOD & Subject Supervisor Visits are generally announced. Observers take notes Examine teacher records Examine students’ books Note classroom environment Conduct Post Observation conference

Transforming Supervision at the School Level A. Clinical Supervision Conduct at least THREE Observations per year: one announced, two un-announced Conduct a Pre-observation conference for the announced visit

Walk about & step in often

B. Peer Coaching Teachers observe and provide feedback to other teachers

C. Study Groups Teachers collaboratively engage in inquiry, reflection and dialogue

D. Self-Directed Improvement

Teacher selects a focus area for improvement and designs a long-term plan for improvement

What is the current state of Supervision?

At the District

Observations sporadic

Transforming Supervision at the District Level District Superintendents team up with Technical Officers

District Superintendents focus on new recruits

Place greater emphasis on the observation of Master Teachers

District Superintendents establish standards across the district

Greater documentation on dysfunctional teachers

District Superintendents establish standards across the district

Greater documentation on dysfunctional teachers

Place greater emphasis on the supervision of principals and staffing needs

Deepen the Decentralization Process with one DS for secondary schools one for primary schools

What is The Current State of Supervision? At The Central Office There are Technical Officers in four Sections of the Curriculum Division

Humanities • SEO Glenda Rolle – HFLE Primary • SEO Donella Davis – Modern Languages High School • SEO Jewel Dean – Performing Arts • SEO Sharon Poitier – Social Sciences • EO Sabrina Skinner – HFLE High School • EO Avis Lightbourn – Language Arts High School

Humanities Cont’d • EO Vanria Jack – Language Arts Primary • EO Inez Paul – Religious Studies High School • EO Shirley Ferguson – Religious Studies Primary • EO Pamela Chandler – Art & Design • Ruthmae Young – HFLE Primary

Model For a Comprehensive Approach to Supervision