Marzano: Improving Teacher Development and Evaluation

Just this week I had the opportunity to attend a professional learning session presented by Dr. Philip B. Warrick, co-author of the new book Improving Teacher Development and Evaluation: A Guide for Leaders, Coaches, & Teachers (2023).

For those of you unfamiliar with the works of Robert Marzano, he is an educational researcher and has authored or co-authored many books and articles.

Our district utilizes much of Marzano's work, and now are learning about ways to move and grow teachers forward. We learned about the impact of relationships, instructional rounds, and evidence based assessments based on the elements referenced in the New Art and Science of Teaching. The premise is, just because a teacher has taught content area skills and knowledge does not mean a student has learned it. Just like students, teachers may come with natural teaching knowledge but still need support in growing and refining the craft of teaching to meet the ever evolving needs of learners without an evaluative focus.

Everything we were learning about yesterday was centered on growth, and how everyone is capable of growth through reflection and actionable strategies to try. The goal is to help teachers continue growing and collecting effective strategies to add to their tool belt, with the aim of being able to innovated and differentiate based on student needs within a given learning strategy. This new resource, partnered with the New Art and Science of Teaching resource, seemed to perfectly compliment the coaching research and work of Jim Knight.

What was interesting is that nothing really specifically address technology's place. It is an unspoken "element" of learning-because unless it's paired with a specific learning goal, technology in and of itself does not show effective learning growth. However, we all agree that when purposefully paired with a learning strategy or goal, the outcomes were undeniable. I was left wondering, well where is the book on how to systemically and strategically grow teachers comfortable with designing learning goals to apply digital tools just like we have strategies for teaching content knowledge and skills to learners? I am excited to find out how to apply this new learning in my Instructional Technology role!