Improve learning for 6000 underprivileged children

Report to Global Giving
Intervention Period –December 2012 – December 2014

Project – Whole School Turnaround
School: Goodwill English School, Heganahalli, Peenya II Stage
Reporting Period: May 2014 – July 2014
No. of teachers/heads covered under the Programme - 1 head, 1 Coordinator and 18 teachers

Classroom Observation with mentors -

Post the “Coaching and Mentoring” workshop, school-based support on classroom observation was conducted in the school on 16th and 17th July 2014. Mentors identified by the teachers and TTF facilitators were part of the process of classroom observation.
Mentors shadowed the whole process of how classrooms are to be observed and experienced different ways of identifying critical incidents in the classes. They also observed the process of giving feedback which was conducted by the TTF facilitators. This was followed by a short debriefing session between the TTF facilitator and the mentor. The entire exercise helped mentors have better insights into the processes of coaching and mentoring. This is intended to help them prepare themselves for their role as a mentor in their school.
The teachers have demonstrated a great deal of positive changes in demeanor. Their lesson planning, organization of their blackboard work, neat and legible handwriting, initiatives to involve students through group work, classroom management through the use of ground rules and appreciation across the different classes in the school are worth praising.
They now need to work on their questioning skills and time management i.e., picking up the appropriate content for a 40 min class with clearly articulated and achievable objectives.
Building good rapport with the peers and identifying both strengths and areas of improvement will not only help mentors, but can also go a long way in establishing and institutionalizing an effective coaching and mentoring process in the school.
The mentors also shared that they feel confident about taking on mentoring in their school and are less apprehensive about the conflicts that may arise.

Photos – Coaching and Mentoring workshop -

Head-based Support post HeadLamp Phase 4

The school has hired 8 – 9 new teachers to teach different subjects. The school included some key and indispensable steps of screening and selection in their recruitment process. Some of these are: telephonic interviews, personal interviews, demo classes, etc.
The school head has formulated clearly defined roles and responsibilities for the coordinators and the teachers. These have been shared with them during the induction program held on 7th June 2014.
The management has also formulated performance evaluation system and shared its importance for professional development of the teachers.
TTF facilitators helped the school to plan different ways to reward their teachers so as to constantly motivate them. Eg: linking salary hike with performance appraisal, giving away certificates on special occasions, appreciating the teachers' zeal and their efforts in the staff meetings, mentioning teachers' name on appreciation wall, etc.
Delegation of responsibilities is quite evident in the school. There have been a few organizational changes in the school. Ms Shalini, An English and Social Studies teacher in high school is the Principal of school from the new academic year and Ms Mubeena, A high school English teacher is in charge of the role of the Coordinator, High School. Ms Rekha had been given the role of the Coordinator of primary section. However she quit in June 2014 due to personal reasons.

Induction

Induction program for new teachers was held on 7th June 2014. Eleven new teachers and two support staff were a part of this induction program, which was also attended by the members of the school management and senior teachers. The program was kick-started with senior teachers and heads welcoming the new teachers. This was followed by Ms Selvi (Owner of the school) sharing the history, the vision and mission of the school in a brief speech. She even spoke about the school culture, the systems and processes that need to followed in the school. Principal, coordinators and teachers were given documented roles and responsibilities to keep so that each of them has better clarity about their roles in the school. The senior teachers shared, with the new teachers, their experience of working as a teacher at Goodwill School. All the teachers were given a chance to share their expectations from the school. This was followed by a short cultural program. This was the first time that such an induction program for new members of the teaching and the non-teaching staff was held in the school. The program was liked by all the teachers as it provided them an opportunity to understand the school well, and also to look at some common goals and objectives together.

Principal welcomes new Head sharing roles and Fun moments
Teacher responsibilities with teachers

Way forward:

1. Coaching and mentoring will be institutionalized in the school. Mentors will be supported on the processes of classroom observation and sharing of feedback.
2. TTF along with coordinators / mentors will help the school to schedule regular lesson planning and co-planning periods.
3. Heads and mentors will be observing classes on a regular basis and will document the whole process not only for future reference, but also to ensure that the good practices in the school is sustained for a longer period to come.
4. English, Maths and Science teachers will be trained on subject-specific pedagogy.