The easiest, most effective way to prepare your teachers to transition to T-TESS. T-TESS Leaders Guide for the T-TESS Teacher Prep Hosted by Responsive Learning
ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING: LOG IN TO YOUR ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT You should have received an email with your login credentials for the Campus Administrator Account, where you will access all of the resources for conducting the face-to-face training. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the training by previewing the T-TESS Leaders Guide, the training modules, and the Reflective Questions. ENROLLING TEACHERS IN THE T-TESS TEACHER PREP ONLINE SYSTEM You should ve received an email with instructions for how to register your teachers with the T-TESS Teacher Prep online system. Each teacher needs to create an account in the T-TESS Teacher Prep System, and will need to be logged in to their account throughout the training. Here s why: 1. During the face-to-face training, your teachers will complete Reflective Questions related to the content in the training. 2. As the administrator, you will have access to all of your teachers responses to the Reflective Questions, giving you more insight into their unique needs for additional support. 3. With this account, your teachers can review any of the training modules throughout the school year. For your convenience, the email you received also included an email template for you to copy, paste into an email, to send to your teachers. The email has the registration code and instructions. All you have to do is send it. To respect your teachers time, it is important to send this email to your teacher at least 4 days prior to the face-to-face training, so they can enroll before arriving. If you need this email to be resent to you, simply submit a request to support@responsivelearning.com DISTRICT TEACHER APPRAISAL REQUIREMENTS AND SCHEDULE In Module 1, at the bottom of page 4 of this guide, is an activity where the campus facilitator will share the district s approved T-TESS requirements and schedule. It s important to have this information in a handout form. T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 1
ONE DAY PRIOR TO THE FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING: PRINT HANDOUTS During the training, every teacher will need a hardcopy of the handouts. Some of the activities will require teachers to analyze a document by highlighting, underlining, and circling various text. It is imperative that each teacher has a copy of the following documents: 1. Teacher Registration Flyer: This flyer provides the teachers with instructions for how to create an online account with the T-TESS Teacher Prep. Hand this flyer out as teachers arrive to the training. 2. Handouts for Each Module: Document Name T-TESS Rubric Observation Evidence Sheet T-TESS Appraiser Sample Conferencing Questions Rubric Look For Sheet District T-TESS Requirements Download Link https://teachfortexas.org/resource_files/evaluation_process/t-tess_rubric- Working_Copy.pdf http://admin.responsivelearning.com/public/documents/observation_evidence_sheet.pdf https://teachfortexas.org/resource_files/evaluation_process/t- TESS_Appraiser_Sample_Conferencing_Quesions.pdf http://admin.responsivelearning.com/public/documents/t-tess_rubric_cheat_sheet.pdf Provided by district MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE ACTIVITIES: 1. Highlighters and pens for each teacher. 2. 3 paper clips per teacher If you want the teachers to bring their own materials, please instruct them to do so prior to the training. SEND FINAL EMAIL TO TEACHERS We recommend sending your teachers a reminder to create an online account with the T-TESS Teacher Prep system prior to arriving at the training tomorrow. Simply modify the email template and send. This will make the training go more smoothly. T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 2
IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING: LOG IN TO YOUR ADMINISTRATOR DASHBOARD Log in to your Administrator Dashboard and navigate to the Launch T-TESS Training page. We recommend you play music while teachers arrive. HANDOUT THE TEACHER REGISTRATION FLYER As teachers arrive to the training, handout the Teacher Registration Flyer. Teachers need to create an online account with the T-TESS Teacher Prep system before the training starts. ACTIVITIES/DISUCSSION MOMENTS As you go through the T-TESS Leaders Guide, this symbol is to let you know when an activity or discussion moment is coming up. For you convenience, we included suggested actions and scripts to help guide you. T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 3
MODULE 1: T-TESS INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW PRE-MODULE ACTION: Stop Music and distribute Module 1 handout. RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Welcome everyone. In this 3 hour training, we will get an overview of T-TESS. There are a few things we all need to keep in mind: 1. This is a new system for all of us, teachers and administrators. So, we will be learning together. 2. T-TESS is a mindset shift from an I gotcha system to an ongoing growth process. 3. This training is just an overview of T-TESS. We will engage in more in depth discussion about the key elements of T-TESS throughout the year. Before we begin, let me give you an idea of what we will do during this training. The training is broken up into 5 modules. Each module consists of a short video explaining a part of T- TESS. After the video, I will facilitate a discussion or an activity connected to the content in the video. Ok, so let s get started. ACTION: Click Module 1 MODULE 1 ACTIVITY/DISCUSSION SLIDE 3 ACTION: Make sure everyone has a handout, then click Proceed. SLIDE 4 ACTION: Make sure everyone is logged in to the T-TESS Teacher Prep online system, then click We re Ready. REFLECTIVE QUESTION 1: (slide 12) What words come to mind when you hear the words appraisal and evaluation? ACTION: After teachers have responded to Reflective 1, give them an opportunity to share RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Before we continue, who would like to share what words come to mind when you hear the words appraisal and evaluation? ACTION: Take 2-3 minutes for sharing. When you are ready click Next to continue the training. DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS FOR T-TESS SLIDE 22 ACTION: At this time, share the T-TESS requirements for your district, then click Proceed. T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 4
REFLECTIVE QUESTION 2: (Slide 24) What are the elements of an effective lesson? ACTION: After teachers have responded to Reflective 2, give them an opportunity to share RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Who would like to share their answers for this question? MODULE 1 CONCLUSION ACTION: You can conclude this module by: Ask additional questions to extend learning. Close the window and click Module 2 from the launch page. T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 5
MODULE 2: T-TESS RUBRIC OVERVIEW PRE-MODULE ACTION: Distribute Module 2 handout. Then launch Module 2. T-TESS Rubric RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Ok, so let s get started with Module 2. MODULE 2 DISCUSSION/ACTIVITY SLIDE 3 ACTION: Make sure everyone has a handout, then click Proceed. SLIDE 4 ACTION: Make sure everyone is logged in to the T-TESS Teacher Prep online system, then click We re Ready. GOLDEN NUGGETS SHARING ACTIVITY SLIDE 24 ACTION: In this activity, you will be sharing with your teachers the Golden Nuggets for all of the Domains and Dimensions. Distribute the Golden Nuggets handout to all of your teachers, then click Proceed. RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: I have great news for you. I m going to give you the Golden Nuggets for ALL of the Domains and Dimensions. I m giving you the Cliff Notes for what I m going to be looking for when I observe your class. REFLECTIVE QUESTION 3: (slide 25) In what ways do you feel that the T-TESS rubric better addresses the interactive learning relationship between teachers and students? ACTION: After teachers have responded to Reflective 3, give them an opportunity to share RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Let s take a few moments for some of you to share your thoughts. ACTION: Take 2-3 minutes for sharing. When you are ready click Next to continue the training. DECONSTRUCT THE RUBRIC ACTIVITY Slide 26.MATERIALS NEEDED: Every teacher needs to have a copy of the T-TESS Rubric. T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 6
RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Lisa modeled for you how to deconstruct the rubric for a dimension. Now, I d like for you to use the same process to deconstruct the rubric for the dimensions on the screen. We re going to do this in small groups. ACTION: Create groups of 4 to 6 people and assign the dimensions. When everyone is ready, continue with recommended script. RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: To deconstruct the rubric for your dimension: Start with Proficient, highlight or underline the key words in the descriptors. Then, move to the left under Accomplished, and highlight or underline the words you did not see under Proficient. Then do it again under Distinguished, and highlight or underline the words you did not see. After that, move to the right of Proficient, under Developing and continue the process. And finally, move to the far right, under Improvement Needed, to finish deconstructing your dimension. You will have 5 minutes per dimension. ACTION: When everyone is ready, click Start Timer for the first dimension, Standards and Alignment (1.1). When the time stops and everyone is ready, click Start Timer for the second dimension, Content Knowledge and Expertise (2.2) When the time stops and everyone is ready, click Start Timer for the third dimension, Classroom Environment, Routines and Procedures (3.2) DECONSTRUCT THE RUBRIC FOLLOW UP QUESTION: After the timer for the last dimension has finishes. RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Before we move on to the next module, let s take a few minutes for a few of you to share what you learned about the rubric and how it can help you to continue to develop your teaching practice. ACTION: Take 2-3 minutes for sharing. ACTION: You can conclude this module by: Take a 5 minute break Ask additional questions to extend learning Move on to Module 3 ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 7
MODULE 3: COLLECTING EVIDENCE PRE-MODULE ACTION: Distribute Module 3 handout. T-TESS Rubric T-TESS Appraiser Sample Conference Questions. RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Ok, so let s get started with Module 3. MODULE 3 DISCUSSION/ACTIVITY SLIDE 3 ACTION: Make sure everyone has a handout, then click Proceed. SLIDE 4 ACTION: Make sure everyone is logged in to the T-TESS Teacher Prep online system, then click We re Ready. REFLECTIVE QUESTION 4: (Slide 10) What is the purpose of the Pre-Conference? How does the Pre-Conference benefit you, as the teacher? ACTION: After teachers have responded to Reflective 4, give them an opportunity to share RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Let s take a few moments for some of you to share what you believe is the purpose of the Pre-Conference and how it benefits you? Take 2-3 minutes for sharing. When you are ready click Next to conclude the training. ACTION: To conclude this module, you can: Take a 5 minute break Ask additional questions to extend learning Close the window and then start Module 4 T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 8
MODULE 4: VIEWING/SCRIPTING LESSON AND CATEGORIZING EVIDENCE PRE-MODULE ACTION: Distribute Module 4 handouts. T-TESS Rubric T-TESS Observation Evidence Sheet Lesson Observation Script RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Ok, so let s get started with Module 4. MODULE 4 DISCUSSION/ACTIVITY SLIDE 3 ACTION: Make sure everyone has a handout, then click Proceed. SLIDE 4 ACTION: Make sure everyone is logged in to the T-TESS Teacher Prep online system, then click We re Ready. SCRIPT THE 4 TH GRADE ELA LESSON ACTIVITY ACTION: In this activity, you will play a video of a classroom lesson. Before you launch the video, check to make sure the teachers understand what they are supposed to do. Then, after your sure the teachers understand what they are supposed to do, launch the video. When the video ends, close the window and click Next to proceed to Reflective Question 5. REFLECTIVE QUESTION 5: Based on the evidence do you view this teacher s instruction as: efficient, above proficient, or below proficient? Please explain your answer. ACTION: After teachers have responded to Reflective 5, give them an opportunity to share RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Let s do a quick shoot from the hip activity to show if you think this teacher was proficient, above proficient, or below proficient. So, thumbs way up (thumb up and raised above your head) if you think the teacher was above proficient. Thumbs up, but right in front of you if you think the teacher was proficient, and thumbs down right in front of you if you think the teacher was below proficient. Ready 1, 2, 3. Put your thumbs out. T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 9
Did anyone think the teacher was Below Proficient in this lesson? Who wants to share why they chose Below Proficient? What about Proficient. Did anyone think the teacher was Proficient in this lesson? Who wants to share why they chose Proficient? And finally, Above Proficient. Did anyone think the teacher was Above Proficient in this lesson? Who wants to share why they chose Above Proficient? Take 3 minutes for sharing. When you are ready, click Next. T-TESS OBSERVATION EVIDENCE ACTIVITY Slide 10 MATERIALS NEEDED: Every teacher needs to have a copy of the T-TESS Observation Evidence Sheet. RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: T-TESS is not a one-time evaluation where the appraiser gives the teacher a score. T-TESS is a process. But, at some point, the appraiser will have to give the teacher a performance rating to indicate areas where the teacher is doing well and areas for improvement. Ok, for this activity, we re all going to continue playing the role of appraiser. We started at the UNDERSTANDING level of this rubric. This activity puts the rubric in a different light and will give us insight into how the rubric will be used to help you further develop your practice. First, I m going to assign each group a different dimension within the domain of Instruction. ACTION: Assign the dimensions to the groups. Once the dimensions are assigned to the different groups, continue with the recommended script, below. RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: For this activity, each of you will need the T-TESS Observation Evidence Sheet. This sheet is just a tool, a graphic organizer, to help you categorize the script you created while watching the lesson. The first step is to categorize all of your evidence, as a group, using the T-TESS Observation Sheet. Take the notes you took during the observation and categorize your notes into the different dimensions, but pay close attention to the dimension that was assigned to your group. After you ve done this, then, based on the evidence and the rubric, you re going to assign a performance rating to all of the dimensions. You will have 11 minutes to complete this activity. ACTION SLIDE 10: When everyone is ready, click Start Timer. T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 10
ACTION SLIDE 21: When the time expires in the previous activity, click continue to start the next part of the activity, here you will show a short video of teachers sharing how they scored the teacher. See the script. RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Each group should have categorized the evidence and assigned a performance rating for all of the dimensions. Now, we will watch a short video showing how other teachers scored this lesson. ACTION SLIDE 22: The video has a built in player with built in controls. Click the Play icon to begin the video. After the video, click Ready to Proceed. ACTION SLIDE 23: This activity consist of each group sharing how they scored this lesson. See script, below. RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: We saw how other teachers categorized and assigned a performance rating for this lesson. Now, it s time for each group to share how you rated the teacher for the dimension that was assigned to you, and why you assigned that performance rating. Who wants to go first? ACTION: When all of the groups have shared their findings, conclude the activity. See recommended script, below. RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Thanks you for your participation and sharing. The reason this activity is so important is that it puts you in the role of the appraiser. We started at the UNDERSTANDING level of this rubric. This activity puts the rubric in a different light. It helps you to see how the rubric will be used to help you further develop your practice. In this module, we went into greater depth on one domain. Over the course of this year, we will go into more depth on the other domains. ACTION: To conclude this module, you can: Take a 5 minute break Ask additional questions to extend learning Move on to Module 5 ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 11
MODULE 5: POST CONFERENCE PRE-MODULE ACTION: Distribute Module 5 handout. RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Ok, so let s get started with Module 5. MODULE 5 DISCUSSION/ACTIVITY SLIDE 3 ACTION: Make sure everyone has a handout, then click Proceed. SLIDE 4 ACTION: Make sure everyone is logged in to the T-TESS Teacher Prep online system, then click We re Ready. AFTER REFLECTIVE QUESTION 6: (Slide 6) What do you want, and what don t you want out of the Post Conference ACTION: After teachers have responded to Reflective 6, give them an opportunity to share RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Let s take a few moments to share out some of your thoughts on this question? ACTION: Take 3 minutes for sharing. When you are ready click Next. AFTER REFLECTIVE QUESTION 7: (Slide 9) Why is it best to review the ratings last? ACTION: After teachers have responded to Reflective 7, give them an opportunity to share RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Let s take a few moments to share out some of your thoughts on why it is best to review the ratings last? ACTION: Take 3 minutes for sharing. When you are ready click Next. AFTER REFLECTIVE QUESTION 8: (Slide 13) What are 4 things that have been Squared Up for you today? ACTION: After teachers have responded to Reflective 8, give them an opportunity to share RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Let s take a few moments for some of you to share what has been Squared Up for you, or 4 things that you now know about T-TESS. ACTION: Take 1 to 2 minutes for sharing. When you are ready click Next. T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 12
AFTER REFLECTIVE QUESTION 9: (Slide 15) What are 3 Aha! moments for you in this training? ACTION: After teachers have responded to Reflective 9, give them an opportunity to share RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Let s take a few moments for some of you to share your Aha! moments. ACTION: Take 1 to 2 minutes for sharing. When you are ready click Next. AFTER REFLECTIVE QUESTION 10: (Slide 16) What are you still going round and round about? What are you still unsure about? ACTION: After teachers have responded to Reflective 10, give them an opportunity to share RECOMMENDED SCRIPT: Let s take a few moments for some of you to share what you re still unsure about, or what you d like us to cover at a later date? ACTION: Take 1 to 2 minutes for sharing. When you are ready click Next to conclude the training. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES T-TESS Leaders Guide Page 13