Transformative Leadership in Education: A UMass Global Journey

Teacher observation is a common practice used to improve instruction, but its impact depends on how it is implemented. At my school site, observation occurs through both formal evaluations and informal walkthroughs. While these practices are intended to support teacher growth and improve student outcomes, their effectiveness can vary. The purpose of observation is to improve teaching and ultimately increase student achievement. However, challenges such as limited time and inconsistent feedback can reduce its impact. Formal observations may only occur every two years for tenured teachers, which limits opportunities for ongoing growth. In addition, some teachers perceive feedback as overly evaluative rather than supportive, which can affect how it is received and implemented. School data reflects these inconsistencies. While there has been growth in ELA, including a 9-point increase, growth in math has been more limited, and English learner performance declined by 5% . These results sugg...

Supporting teachers is one of the most effective ways to improve student learning, and the coaching cycle provides a clear structure to do this. The cycle includes pre-observation planning, observation, and post-observation reflection, all grounded in collaboration rather than evaluation. During the pre-observation, using a structured planning tool helps focus the conversation on teacher goals, lesson purpose, and student needs. Guiding questions around strengths, lesson objectives, and CSTP focus areas ensure the observation is intentional and teacher-driven . This step is critical because it builds ownership and sets a clear purpose. During the observation, a CSTP-aligned tool helps collect specific evidence on learning targets, instructional strategies, and student outcomes . This keeps the focus on student learning rather than general feedback. The post-observation conversation is where the most growth happens. Using coaching stems and questioning strategies supports reflection ...