During the month of October, the following evidence/forms (shared below) are required:

 

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October Professional Development Focus:

Continued Review and dcoumentation of evidence of Ohio Professional Educator Standards and OTES Goals

Informal and Formal Observations begin

Instructional Cycle #1 Options and Overview

Preparing for OTES (Ohio Teacher Evaluation System) Evaluations

OPTION to complete an "Exemplar" or "Reciprocal" (Demonstration) Lesson has been added in October at the request of Resident Educators and Mentors.  ONLY ONE "Exemplar" observation is recommended for Year 1, but Resident Educators may elect to engage in 2-3 "Exemplar" observations throughout their Year 1 RE Program.  (Also shared in February requirements).

 

It is a requirement to complete 2-4 Collaborative logs or journal entries per month

1. Click on the Collaborative Log link below each time you need to complete a Collaborative Log or use your created Interactive Journal format.
2. "Save as" and rename with the date of your meeting (ie. 8/29/16 etc...)
3. Complete the log or journal entry with your Mentor 2-4 times per month.
4. Save a copy of each of your Collaborative Logs or journal entries in your RE Year 1 folder.
5. When you have completed your 2-4 Collaborative Logs or journal entries, attach each log and click "submit".

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The first shared Collaborative Log (Standard, Monthly Log) is the primary Collaborative log.  The Standard Monthly Collaborative Logs are interactive and can be completed electronically.  The additional, alternate logs  can be used  as needed in place of the Standard, Monthly at any time.  The alternate logs are not currently interactive, but can be completed manually and scanned into Taskstream.  It is recommended (but not required) for each Resident Educator to complete at least one of each of the Alternate Collaborative Logs throughout the course of completing their Year 1 requirements. 

In lieu of the Collaborative Log, the Resident Educator and Mentor may elect to develop and complete a reflective journal entry together 2-4 times per month.

     We are excited to offer you the opportunity to visit and observe an exemplary teaching colleague.  We have created a brief survey to allow Resident Educators to express preferences about grade levels, types of classrooms they would like to observe and possible locations to visit for these observations.  Whenever possible, we will try to honor as many of the Resident Educator's preferences as possible in scheduling and providing coverage for these observations.

     The Orange School District has also developed an Exemplar Observation Template for use to help guide these observations and provide susbtantive evidence related to the growth and learning of all Resident Educators.  The Resident Educator and Mentor should plan to meet before this observation to discuss possible "areas of focus" for the observation.  The Resident Educator may elect to focus on collecting evidence for one or more "target" areas, or may elect to complete the Template in its entirety.  If the "exemplar" lesson can be videotaped, then the Resident Educator may elect to only take notes and process and reflect on the videotaped lesson at a subsequent meeting with the Mentor.   Another option, if schedules permit, is to have both the Mentor and the Resident Educator conduct the observation at the same time and collect evidence and share notes and ideas afterward.

     As a current exemplar teacher expressed, "When people come to visit, it's not so much about 'perfect'!  In fact, it's quite the opposite!"  Indeed, it is truly important for Resident Educators to view "expert" teachers in their "natural" enviornment to see what "best practice" looks like on a daily basis.  Having conversations with Mentors and Exemplary Teachers will often foster discussions and ideas about "what could have been done differently" as well as "what went well" in the lesson.  Truly that is the art of reflective practice and the HEART of teaching and the Resident Educator Program.

     We hope you enjoy this opportunity and that you are inspired, encouraged and excited about the ideas and insights you will gain from this experience.  Have fun and we can't wait to receive feedback about what you have learned from these observations.