177: How to improve teacher observations with Craig Randall
The teacher observation evaluation process is supposed to improve teaching and learning, but research makes it clear that it doesn’t. In fact, it creates fear, which stifles teacher innovation and risk-taking.
Today I chat with Craig Randall about how ‘Trust-Based Observations’ changes that.
- Using emotional intelligence to build trusting relationships.
- Focusing on strengths.
- Eliminating evaluative grading of pedagogy.
- Using a manageable observation form.
- Committing time to make frequent observations of all teachers.
- Listening actively during timely, reflective conversations.
Craig Randall is a Counselor, Coach, Teacher, Principal, Author, Trainer, and Consultant.
Education
Craig Randall received his Bachelor’s degree, yes in English, from the University of Washington, his Master’s in Education in Guidance and Counseling from Saint Martin’s University, and his principal certification from Western Washington University.
Counseling, Coaching, Teaching
Craig has worked as an elementary and middle school counselor, including one intense year in the classroom with students with severe behavior issues. In addition he has served as an academic advisor at the college level. He has worked as a collegiate basketball coach. He has worked as a teacher at the elementary, middle, and high school levels as well as in college.
Leadership and Consulting
And, of course, Craig has worked in the job of his passion and calling: assistant principal and principal. Craig has done his work at schools both in the US and overseas. Now, as the author of the book and founder of the business with the same name: Trust-Based Observations, Craig’s goal is to transform the world of teacher observation and evaluation. He is dedicated to training and consulting school leaders on the use of Trust-Based Observations, empowering them to build supportive relationships with their teachers, relationships which foster risk-taking, which in turn, dramatically improve teaching and learning.
Family
Currently, Craig lives in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest with the best educator he knows, his wife and new teacher mentor, Michele, and their just graduated high-school twins, Acalia and Craigo.
Twitter @TrustbasedCraig
LinkedIn Craig Randall
If you would like to support our GoFundMe campaign to create a valuable resource for our children based on the wisdom of our inspiring guests please click below.
https://uk.gofundme.com/f/education-on-fire-book-fundraiser
Show Sponsor
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. This includes parents, teachers, governors and all those interested in primary education. Get their FREE professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal
176: Closing the maths attainment gap with Third Space Learning
Third Space Learning was founded in 2013 with the goal of making one-to-one tuition accessible to children in need.
Closing the maths attainment gap with one to one teaching. Personalised online maths lessons from specialist tutors.
Over three quarters or English Primary schools are signed up to the Third Space Platform, and the company has delivered over 800,000 hours of teaching to nearly 70,000 pupils, of whom 55% are from disadvantaged backgrounds, positioning Third Space Learning as the largest provider of tutoring to UK schools.
Third Space has worked with thousands of schools in the UK to pioneer an online model that allows teachers to use TSL’s assessment and digital curriculum to direct online tutors to target learning gaps as they arise in class, thus supporting class teaching strategies. TSL’s online learning is integrated with a global tutor community that achieves a quality, cost and scale that can genuinely make tutoring a tool for schools to help support pupils at risk of falling behind.
Tom Hooper has been working on EdTech for nearly 12 years. He founded Third Space Learning in 2013. Prior to that, in 2009, Tom Founded BrightSpark an online tutoring business, which he sold to TES in 2012.
Social Media Information
@thirdspacetweet
https://www.facebook.com/thirdspacelearning
If you would like to support our GoFundMe campaign to create a valuable resource for our children based on the wisdom of our inspiring guests please click below.
https://uk.gofundme.com/f/education-on-fire-book-fundraiser
Show Sponsor
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. This includes parents, teachers, governors and all those interested in primary education. Get their FREE professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal
175: Your feedback please to help shape our future
Today I am asking for you help and support to shape the future of Education on Fire.
Do you prefer the interviews, solo shows or a combination of both?
Let me know where you listen, from the 131 countries that have downloaded the podcast.
Are you a teacher or parent?
What content will support you?
I am wanting to help, just let me know how.
Best wishes Mark
If you would like to support our GoFundMe campaign to create a valuable resource for our children based on the wisdom of our inspiring guests please click below.
https://uk.gofundme.com/f/education-on-fire-book-fundraiser
Show Sponsor
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. This includes parents, teachers, governors and all those interested in primary education. Get their FREE professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal
174: What was the best advice you have ever been given? Ep 3
On todays bonus episode we take the question ‘What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given and who gave it to you?’ and hear the answers from guests 20-27 released on the Learning on Fire podcast.
You can listen to the whole podcast collection by clicking below.
https://player.captivate.fm/collection/c5b7233b-e24a-445f-9b17-292d1d3f6800
Sit back and enjoy the wisdom that has literally changed the lives of the people you hear.
Questions asked on the Learning on Fire Podcast Interview
1. Who are you?
2. What does your life look like now and how is it different from when you were growing up?
3. What was valuable about your school experience?
4. Which teachers do you remember and why?
5. Who did you admire when you were young?
6. What was it about that person that had such an impact?
7. What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given and who gave it to you?
8. What advice would you give your younger self?
9. What does your future look like?
10. What podcast, book, video, film, song or other resource has had the biggest impact on your life and why?
Show Sponsor
National Association for Primary Education
Our aim is to achieve a higher priority for the education of children from birth to 13. High quality learning in the early years of life is vitally important to the creation of an educated society. Young children are not simply preparing for the future, they are living a never to be repeated time of life and the best way to learn is to live.
173: Personalised learning for children who struggle – why not everyone?
On this solo episode Mark talks about how education can be transformed by understanding relationships and creating personalised learning for everyone!
If you would like to support our GoFundMe campaign to create a valuable resource for our children based on the wisdom of our inspiring guests please click below.
https://uk.gofundme.com/f/education-on-fire-book-fundraiser
Show Sponsor
The National Association for Primary Education speaks for young children and all who live and work with them. This includes parents, teachers, governors and all those interested in primary education. Get their FREE professional journal at nape.org.uk/journal