The topic of Instructional Rounds has been discussed in education for many years. The topic may be new to Trottier, but they have been around for about thirteen years. The creators that started the idea were actually a group of researchers from Harvard University. The team was inspired by the medical-rounds model used by physicians. They wanted to spread and create some sort of way for educators to grow and develop. Teachers and administrators in any public schools could go to Harvard and take a course on the rounds so that they can start the evaluation in their district.

It affects schools, districts, and how the teachers can be better educators in their classes, according to Mr. Lavoie, the Principal of Trottier Middle School. He said, “Each school is very different in their own way. Going into different schools gives you an aspect of what a school feels or is like.”

The observers participating in Instructional Rounds will visit all ten of the schools in our district.

Another aspect of Instructional Rounds is supervision, which includes going to different schools to observe and take away the learning experience that teachers would get when they observe classes. According to Harvard.edu, it “offers a structure for educators to work together to solve common problems to raise the quality of instruction for all students.” This strategy helps the students’ needs and behaviors in class. Their needs and behaviors can be seen in many ways. For example, if a student does not want to participate in a subject, an observer might see that student pull their hood over their head or talking to another student about something unrelated to class.  Feedback from observers in Instructional Rounds could help teachers have a better understanding of the student’s needs in order to engage and understand the material in class.

Mr. Hreshuck, the Vice Principal of Trottier Middle School, thought of Instructional Rounds as, “A way for the whole district to look at the teaching practices and to also identify what we do well, but more on how to improve.” Most districts have a team for their own schools and visit debriefing meetings. Instructional Rounds were once about observing teachers, but now, it focuses more on the students and their learning in class.

Mr. Lavoie went to Harvard to take a course on Instructional Rounds. When the course ended, he thought it was a really great experience for learning how to make Trottier Middle School a better learning society. Educational Leadership calls Instructional Rounds, “the most valuable tool that a school or district can use to help on teaching.” Instructional Rounds is a great way for teachers to learn how to improve their teaching in order for students to learn effectively in class.