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As an instructional leader, how are you cultivating environments of confidence and trust? How are you helping to empower your instructional staff to take risks and to lead? How do teachers then turn around to collectively and individually prepare students to take risks and to lead? Feedback regarding instruction should help to spark and engage improvement, not to dampen and discourage it.
Building confidence requires approaching new experiences with a growth mindset, as opposed to something to be acquired through osmosis or a textbook. Positive attitudes, practice, training, knowledge acquisition, collaboration, and risk-taking are all useful traits and strategies that increase confidence and promote trust. Furthermore, established trust within the feedback and improvement process allows for confidence in the implementation of change.
When we look at the application of “confidence” in the classroom, self-confidence is supported by planning and preparation: both for students and teachers. Why? Preparation and planning creates the climate where the opportunities for success are bountiful. When areas for improvement are addressed and overcome collaboratively within a climate of trust, self-confidence grows along with the desire and willingness to try new strategies. Instructional staff and students thrive in safe spaces in which trust is at the forefront. Therefore, confidence continues to increase and educators find ways to overcome challenges while becoming empowered to lead.
Feedback does not have to be a lengthy process, but it must be frequent, iterative and collaborative to be successful. Giving and receiving feedback requires confidence but should also build confidence simultaneously; and confidence is a superpower.
Some simple starter questions could include:
What is the goal?
Where do you want to be when it is all done?
What are the actions/steps you will put in place to help you get there?
What are some challenges or possible blind spots?
How will you address the challenges?
Dr. Aurelia Ortiz
Director, Office of School Quality
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Support for High-Quality Educational Environment
Instructional leaders continually hone their skills of developing and delivering effective feedback that is specific, achievable, realistic, timely, balanced, and continuous. Everything about the feedback process should be designed and considered with intent. Feedback with intent helps build teacher confidence and empowers their ability to teach at the highest level. It creates better relationships and builds trust with leaders and peers who are unified and focused on better teaching (New Leaders, 2022). Actionable feedback on instruction that centers around evidence of positive student outcomes allows teachers to engage in continuous professional growth which is fundamental for full implementation of school and division action steps from Continuous School Improvement Plans (CSIP). Leaders set the stage for feedback on instruction by first building a growth mindset culture where feedback can be positively received. Through the development of trusting and supportive relationships, school and division leaders help teachers take calculated professional risks and innovate.
To learn more about providing feedback on instruction, the Office of School Quality is presenting a one-hour webinar on Thursday, March 2, at 9:00 a.m. Register to attend using this link.
Promotion of Quality Leadership
Leaders across the Commonwealth work diligently to promote quality in their schools. Please take some time to recognize these leaders. The OSQ Team is happy to announce the name of school leaders who were recognized for their work on Chronic Absenteeism.
Karen Castillo-Rose, Principal, Henrico High School
Henrico County Public Schools
Nominated by Rebecca Reiter, School Quality High School Math Coach
Monica Murray, Principal, John Marshall High School
Nominated by Devin Canaday, Associate Director, Family and Student Engagement
Deborah Bone, Director of Student Support Services
Nominated by Dr. Sarah Schmidt, Assistant Superintendent
Susan Braithwaite, Principal, John Handley High School
Nominated by Dr. April Bruce, Associate Superintendent
Ama Waller, Principal, Martinsville Middle School
Nominated by Angilee Downing, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction
Based upon this month's theme of Feedback on Instruction, please nominate a leader who has embodied this work as designated in the criteria below. Complete the nomination form by March 1, 2023, for consideration. The leader provides feedback that:
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coaches faculty and staff to implement actions to achieve their collective and personalized goals;
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helps faculty and staff understand and see the tangible student outcomes that result from obtaining goals;
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informs faculty and staff about progress toward their goals;
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is specific, achievable, realistic, timely, balanced, and continuous;
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builds a growth mindset culture where feedback on instruction can be positively received.
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Spring Monitoring for Implementation and Impact
Thank you for your timely submission of the academic review report(s) and revised comprehensive school improvement plan(s) (CSIP) (schools with any Level Three SQI) and/or the submission of the Superintendent’s Certification of the completion of academic reviews (schools with a Level Two academic achievement indicator in English, mathematics, and/or science).
Spring monitoring for implementation and impact of the (CSIP) will run from February 28, 2023 to April 20, 2023. Division OSQ contacts will be scheduling the upcoming virtual monitoring meetings. Please email Rebecca Hall, Standards of Accreditation Coordinator, at rebecca.hall@doe.virginia.gov with any questions.
New Website
Check out our new look at the Virginia Department of Education’s website. You may continue to find resources and support from the Office of School Quality.
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Foundations of Continuous Improvement Canvas Course
The Canvas Course includes videos, resources, and quick checks on each Virginia Continuous School Improvement (VaCSIP) module. Division and school leaders can access the resources and training any time, anywhere. For access to the Canvas Course, please sign up here: https://forms.office.com/g/4SVnR48eSv
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Upcoming Quick Takes Webinar
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Date
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Time
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Session Topic
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Thursday, March 2, 2023
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9:00-10:00 a.m.
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Feedback on Instruction-Link to Register
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Any feedback about this communication is greatly appreciated. Also, if you have a topic you would like to see in a future monthly edition of Quality Quick Takes, contact OSQ at OSQ@doe.virginia.gov.
This monthly communication is intended for school and division leadership throughout the Commonwealth.
Don't ever miss an edition of Quick Takes; sign up to join our mailing list.
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