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. Principals look into classrooms and guide teachers in self-initiated professional development. 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.

MESPA offered several Three-Minute Walkthrough seminars in 2006, 2007, and earlier in 2008.  To meet the continued demand of MESPA and MASSP members, another seminar has been scheduled for October. Is it a valuable experience? Here’s what participants are saying: “Great! Efficient! Love the hands-on approach!”  “The reflective piece was really helpful; this is so strong for staff development.” “This will help with systems change.”

Friday, October 10, 2008, full-day seminar:
Brimhall Elementary School, Roseville, MN.
(For a registration flyer, scroll down and click on the PDF link below.)
8:30 a.m. - Registration, networking, continental breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Seminar  

• Brimhall Elementary School
  1744 West County Road B
  Roseville, MN 55113
  For directions to the school, call 651-638-1958.
  

• $225 non-members;  $195 MESPA and MASSP members.
  Price includes: continental breakfast, lunch, handouts, administrative continuing education credits (CEUs).

• The school will be used as a live laboratory, allowing seminar participants to observe and use the three-minute walkthrough process in its classrooms. (Not to judge the classrooms, but to learn to notice what kinds of information can be noticed and 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, national professional growth and development consultant
  

  Kathy Larson knows what school administrators need to help their teachers. She has introduced the Classroom Walkthrough process to schools throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as nationally.

  Larson is a national professional growth and development consultant who has concentrated her efforts on building healthy environments for individuals, teams and systems through developing commitments to continuous growth cycles.

  Larson is co-author of The Mentoring Year: A Step-by-Step Program for Professional Growth (2003, Corwin Press).