Classroom walkthroughs are a powerful tool that principals and instructional coaches can use to improve instruction and student learning in their schools. When done well, walkthroughs provide educators with valuable data that can be used to inform decisions about professional development, curriculum, and other areas of school improvement. Additionally, walkthroughs can help build a positive school culture by increasing communication and collaboration between teachers and administrators. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the benefits of classroom walkthroughs and share best practices for conducting them.
Why Conduct Classroom Walkthroughs?
Classroom walkthroughs are an important part of effective school leadership. They provide administrators with an opportunity to see firsthand how teaching and learning are taking place in their buildings. Additionally, classroom walkthroughs can help build a positive school culture by increasing communication and collaboration between teachers and administrators.
When conducted regularly, walkthroughs can provide valuable data that can be used to inform decisions about professional development, curriculum, resources, and other areas of school improvement. Furthermore, classroom walkthroughs can help identify both strengths and areas of need within a school, which is critical information for principal leaders who are charged with ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality education.
Best Practices for Conducting Classroom Walkthroughs
There are a few key things to keep in mind when conducting classroom walkthroughs to get the most out of them. First, it’s important to choose a focus for your walkthrough (e.g., teaching strategies, student engagement, and use of technology). By having a specific focus in mind, you’ll be able to collect more targeted data that can be used to make informed decisions about your school.
Second, it’s important to establish common language and expectations around the process with all stakeholders involved. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what to expect during the walkthrough. Finally, it’s important to debrief after each walkthrough in order to discuss what was observed and identify next steps for moving forward.
Classroom walkthroughs are a powerful tool that principals and instructional coaches can use to improve instruction and student learning in their schools. When done well, walkthroughs provide educators with valuable data that can be used to inform decisions about professional development, curriculum, resources, and other areas of school improvement. Additionally, conducting regular classroom walkthoughs can help build a positive school culture by increasing communication and collaboration between teachers and administrators.
