Observe with an Asset Orientation

We have high expectations. We actively engage students. We observe to take notes on what they say and do. We are feeling on top of our formative data-gathering game!

Then, brain science enters the equation with humbling news: We don’t always see what’s right in front of us. This is especially true when we have implicit biases—which, as humans, we always do. We have all been conditioned by false narratives about racial difference, language hierarchies, and gender differences—whether we believe them or not.

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Expectations Define What We See

For observation data to matter, we need to be clear on our learning intentions. For it to matter for equity, we need to be aware of our biases and intentional about disrupting defaults of low expectations for students from historically-marginalized groups. What do you see as students engage? How do you interpret the data? How do your lived experiences shape what you see?

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Four Verbs to Hone Your Observation Superpowers

Observing students is one of the most important teaching skills. It is also one of the most under-prioritized in professional learning initiatives and district-wide change. Using observation data for equity requires more than watching students — we need to learn to see beyond our own biases and use new data to challenge our own assumptions.

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A Tale of Two Teacher Collaborations

Every day—in classrooms, in staff rooms, in online communities—teachers come together to collaborate. We love to connect, build community, share ideas, and help each other better serve our kids. But is it always effective? Compare these approaches.

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Free Webinar - Six Essentials for EL Excellence Every Day

Six Essentials Webinar Recording

Check out my webinar “Six Essentials for EL Excellence” at this link. Enjoy the webinar alone, or with your team or school. It’s easy to use this webinar to lead interactive professional learning. Simply pause the video and structure think-pair-share each time I ask a question to engage people in reflecting and discussing. In this webinar participants . . .  Learn six essentials to teach and lead for EL Excellence…

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Share the Surprise

When I dedicated my new bestseller to a family I had not seen in 25 years, I decided to travel to Mexico City to surprise them in person. Watch the moment I share the surprise.

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Engage Every Teacher in Raising EL Achievement

The caliber of core teaching has the greatest influence on whether or not our English Learners (ELs) thrive. Consider the following: Three in four U.S. classrooms have at least one student who is an English learner. Even in schools with EL specialists, ELs spend the majority of their instructional day with core classroom teachers. We know this, yet too often forget it when designing EL programs and solutions. Instead, many…

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7 Essentials for Every Teacher to Excel with ELs

How do you empower EVERY teacher with agency and efficacy to raise EL achievement? Click this link to my latest publication to learn specific tips for leading professional learning: 7 Essentials for Every Teacher to Excel with ELs. Contact me to explore powerful ways to we can collaborate to raise EL achievement!

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