Educator Effectiveness

Teachers' Top Three from ESE - October 8, 2015

1. The Buzz: October is Connected Educators Month
   In its third year, Connected Educators Month (CEM) offers ways for educators across the globe to build their networks, access professional learning and share innovative practices. This year's themes include innovations in assessments, social and emotional learning in school settings, and sparking creativity and curiosity in students and schools.

   Members of ESE's Teacher Advisory Cabinet shared the following thoughts on their use of social media and technology to support their learning and student learning:

   "Social media, including Twitter, allows our students to expand the reach of their voice and to connect with experts in different fields. Many of our students showcase their learning through blogs and use Twitter to engage with others on topics of mutual interest."
   —Diana Marcus, Burlington Public Schools

   "Twitter is a resource I use to keep myself up-to-date on current events in local, national, and global education. I also use it to share these resources with my colleagues and families of my students."
   —Jennifer Meek, Avon Public Schools

   During the month of October, there are hundreds of opportunities to join Twitter chats, virtual field trips, contests, book clubs and online courses and conferences. You can see the full calendar. Check out the "10 Things to Do" to get started, such as setting up a personalized calendar of events you can tap into throughout October.

2. Resource: Data in Action project
   Through the Data in Action project, ESE has developed a series of web-based tutorials to help educators, parents and researchers make the most of ESE's data reporting tools. The ESE Data Tools Overview, School and District Profiles Overview and Profiles MCAS Achievement Results Report tutorials enable educators to unpack their district's or school's data.

   A video icon linking to the tutorials is in the top, right-hand corner of assessment results pages in School and District Profiles. Additional tutorials, covering a range of individual reports, will be embedded into ESE's data applications in the coming weeks.

3. Meet an ESE Staff Member: Claire Abbott, Educator Effectiveness Coordinator
   Claire's passion for public schools and access to high-quality education for all students has shaped her education and career path since she was a student in West Hartford, Conn. and published her first paper on the psychological effects of segregation in public schools. After obtaining degrees in American studies and education law and policy, Claire conducted research and program evaluations on a school improvement model in Los Angeles, Calif., exploring the impact of teacher collaboration in some of L.A.'s most struggling schools. To the right is a photo of Claire (right) with Kat Johnston (left) at ESE's 2015 Spring Convening.

   

   Claire moved back East and joined the Center for Educator Effectiveness in 2012, just as ESE released the Model System for Educator Evaluation. Last year, Claire oversaw the development of the TEEM Video Series: Transforming Educator Evaluation in Massachusetts, as well as the Model Feedback Surveys for teachers and school leaders. She works closely with school and district leaders to improve educator training and supports related to evaluation, and she helps direct external research studies of educator evaluation in Massachusetts, which help ESE understand how schools and districts are implementing evaluation processes and policies. She particularly enjoys working directly with Massachusetts educators through ESE's Principal Advisory Cabinet and the Educational Equity Professional Learning Network of districts, which is exploring issues related to students' access to effective educators.

   Claire lives in Arlington with her husband and two sons. As the person listed at the top of ESE's online directory, she's used to getting queries on all aspects of education policy. Call anytime!