Feeling disconnected? Make daily classroom visits a priority next school year.
Excerpt
The following post is an adapted excerpt from my new playbook: 10 Actions for Supporting Teaching and Learning. It’s a companion to my book Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H. (Corwin, 2022). I’m doing a soft launch of the text today. Get your copy here or below and start next school year on a powerful note.
In my first year as a principal in my last school, I struggled to make classroom visits a priority. I’d get to them when all of my other tasks were completed. It definitely wasn’t daily.
During that school year, I brought a team of teachers to a literacy conference. We connected with Regie Routman for lunch. She is the source of the concept of instructional walks. When she asked me how the walks were going during our meal, I had to admit I hadn’t gotten to them yet. “What are you waiting for?” she replied. All of my teachers looked at me at the same time. I fumbled over some excuse about still getting to know the position.
That moment reminded me of the importance of making classroom visits a daily habit. This seemingly simple practice offers a multitude of benefits that enhance the school environment and the relationships between leaders and teachers.
Benefits of Daily Classroom Visits
Identity
Being regularly present in classrooms shifts your identity from merely an evaluator and disciplinarian to a learner and supporter of instruction. This change in perception is vital for fostering a positive and collaborative school culture.
Visibility
Frequent visibility within the school sends a positive message to the larger community. Students notice your presence and talk about it with their families, portraying you as an engaged and active leader rather than someone confined to the office.
Frequency
Regular visits normalize your presence in classrooms, making formal observations less intimidating for teachers. This familiarity can reduce anxiety and create a more comfortable environment for both teachers and students.
Accessibility
When staff see you regularly in classrooms, they appreciate the accessibility to one of the most important people in the school. This accessibility builds trust and opens lines of communication.
Understanding
Consistent classroom visits allow you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the “instructional pulse” of the school. This insight is invaluable for making informed decisions, planning professional development, and addressing issues promptly.
Next are some tips for making classroom visits a habit.
Plan for it
Prepare for daily classroom visits like any habit you are trying to build. The initial goal is quantity, not quality. Eventually, the conversations that spring up from regular classroom visits will offer opportunities for leading more like a coach.
Below are some suggestions as you get started.
Schedule for Consistency: Block out regular times each week in your calendar for classroom visits.
Start Small: Begin by spending just a few minutes in each classroom.
Set Reminders: Use your digital calendar to set notifications for your visits.
Focus first on building trust
Your initial goal is to build relational trust. By showing up frequently and with no agenda except a positive presence, you can shift any negative perceptions teachers may have about positional leaders. Over time, your visits will become more intentional and impactful.
As an example, when I finally re-engaged with instructional walks, one of my first visits was during a 4th grade writers workshop. I asked kids what they were writing and who they were writing for. The teacher overheard my inquiries. “You know,” she said to me as we stood in the middle of the classroom, “when you asked kids who their audience is, it reminded me that I had forgotten about that in my instruction.” She thanked me for being a positive and curious presence in the classroom. My willingness to share what I knew about good writing in a non-confrontational way increased her trust in my competence as an instructional leader. This led to more confident conversations in the future between the teacher and me.
Address challenges by simplifying the process
Despite the clear benefits, some school leaders find it challenging to make classroom visits a daily habit. Good intentions often clash with various obstacles.
For instance, some leaders are unsure what to do or say when they engage in this work. My suggestion is, in the beginning, just be present and positive. A smile and a wave as you immerse yourself in the instructional experience might be all that is needed.
The minimal amount of time I devoted to regular classroom visits resulted in so many benefits, especially in relational trust and instructional improvement. The professional learning was reciprocal; I grow alongside the faculty with each coaching conversation. Instructional walks are an investment in our teachers and in ourselves.
Take care,
Matt
Love this. So clear and inviting. I know my greatest barrier was my own discomfort. And yet, a few minutes in the classroom accomplish so much!