Three Minute Walkthrough
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Kathy Larson clarifies the walkthrough process to seminar participants at Richfield STEM Elementary (Joey Page, principal). To view more photos from the day, scroll down.










 



Three-Minute Walkthrough Seminar:

the most effective principal is a coach! 

Principals, learn to use the three-minute walkthrough to guide teachers toward a continuous improvement cycle.  A walkthrough is a brief, focused classroom visit followed by reflection. The principal assumes the role of coach as opposed to judge, leading teachers to reflective practices and to dialogue focused on curriculum and instruction.

Kathy Larson, national professional growth and development consultant, conducts the seminar and leads principals on the walkthrough, using a school as a live laboratory, allowing seminar participants to observe and use the process in its classrooms.  This is a systems approach: classroom walkthroughs for school systems. The goal is to learn to notice what kinds of information can be gleaned in a brief walkthrough.


Goals of Three-Minute Classroom Walkthroughs

--Strategic curriculum implementation
--Continuous reflection on teaching and student learning
--Observed alignment of curriculum and instruction
--Frequent witnessing of expectations
--Enhanced quality of classroom visits
--Continuous improvement cycle


Walkthrough Benefits to Principals

--Develop effective data gathering strategies
--Analyze curriculum and instruction alignment across grade levels
--Increase school-wide reflection about teaching and learning


Presented by Kathy Larson
 
Kathy Larson is an accomplished national and international professional developer, who emphasizes community building and achieving continuous growth with professionals at every level in the education system.

Her work is characterized by her engaging delivery, interactive and provocative learning designs, and performance-based approaches. She specializes in various topics which include building professional cultures, mentoring, classroom walkthroughs for school systems, coaching for courageous conversations, and leadership skills.

Larson developed a performance-based training "Classroom Walkthroughs for School Systems" (© 2004) and delivered this training to both private and public school leaders throughout the United States, Canada, and most recently, to the Zurich International Schools in Switzerland. For the last 10 years as Wisconsin's lead consultant for educational reform, her work remains instrumental in the delivery of a statewide model for educators' license renewal.

She serves as an adjunct faculty member at Viterbo University LaCrosse, Wi, Carroll University, and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and is an associate member of Consensus Associates, Terrebonne, CO.

Larson is co-author of The Mentoring Year: A Step-by-Step Program for Professional Growth (Corwin Press).




Get Acrobat Reader  3-Minute_Oct_2011_3.pdf  
Three Minute Registration Form

Image Gallery: Woodland Elementary seminar
Three Minute Walkthrough Seminar Kathy Larson, presenter October 15, 2010 Woodland Elementary School, Eagan, MN (Lisa Carlson, principal)
Kathy Larson opens the day, defining what might be noticed and included in a three-minute classroom walkthrough. Kathy Larson explains how to begin the walkthrough process. Seminar participants post joint notes: compare and contrast, what did we all see in the classroom? See all 5 images.


Image Gallery: Richfield STEM Elementary
Three Minute Walkthrough Seminar Kathy Larson, presenter October 29, 2010 Richfield STEM Elementary School, Richfield, MN (Joey Page, principal)
Kathy Larson, standing (center back), guides participant discussion. See all 8 images.





Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Full-day seminar at
Andersen Elementary School
309 North 4th Street
Bayport, MN  55003
(in the Stillwater public schools)
Mark Drommerhausen, principal

For directions, click here.

7:45 - 8:15 a.m.
Registration, networking, continental breakfast

8:15 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Seminar  


Seminar fee
$195 MESPA and MASSP members

$225 non-members

Price includes: continental breakfast, lunch, handouts, administrative continuing education credits (CEUs).


To Register
Click here to register online. Or scroll to the Three Minute Seminar registration form at the bottom of the page; download the PDF and mail or fax it to the MESPA office.


"Kathy passionately delivers strategies to her audience to create deeper understanding of school systems throughout the classroom walkthrough training. She resonates with participants and leads them to action that benefits the learning of teachers and students."

--Kelly J. Meyers, Associate Executive Director, Association of WI School Administrators


Is it a valuable experience?

Here’s what past participants have said:

  • Kathy Larson is awesome. She not only knows her content, she knows how to keep the audience engaged.
  • I know more than I thought about instructional assessment, thanks to Kathy's material and engaging style.
  • I loved learning and PRACTICING the walkthrough steps in a live environment.
  • I love the idea of having teachers reflect for improvement, rather than mandating everything.
  • I walked away with a solid enough knowledge of the process to feel comfortable beginning right away!
  • The presenter was outstanding!



Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.

Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
1667 North Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
651.999.7310     MN toll free 800.642.6807    
Fax: 651.999.7311     E-mail: mespa@mespa.net