- What leadership practices have you seen or implemented that positively influence teaching quality? (e.g., lesson observation, peer coaching, professional development)
First and I foremost, our school management team has to conduct regular classroom observations in order to know the strengths and areas of improvement for all our teaching staff. Then, constructive feedback is given to everyone observed immediately after the observation. When a round of observations is being completed, the SMT would sit together and make quality analysis of all the observation forms. In that meeting strategies would be taken such as peer coaching, capacity-building workshop, etc. This practice is very effective in improving quality and I have been implementing it in all my schools of posting.
2. How do you balance support and accountability when monitoring instructional practices, especially in schools where teachers may feel anxious about evaluation?
I treat all my teachers equally. I endeavour to be consistent in all my actions. I commend or sanction teachers when necessary.
- What strategies can be used to celebrate teaching excellence in ways that uplift staff morale without creating unhealthy competition or resentment?
The school star system can be very effective. You just take a vanguard card and design it like the one below.
Any teacher who does something commendable, you write a kudos for that teacher with the date and stick it onto the cardboard. At the end of the term, the teacher with the highest kudos is given a prize. The cardboard can be displayed in the Head or Deputy Headteacher’s Office.