EPPING HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUCTION
Through a program coordinated by Tufts University, Epping High School is in its second year of work with instructional coach Lew Gitelman from the Center for Urban Education. Mr. Gitelman visits EHS on a weekly basis to observe teachers and provide them feedback; he also works closely with Ms. Tremblay and Mr. Altbergs to identify areas of need and to improve their ability to work with teachers to improve instruction. Under this model, all teachers are observed and receive feedback several times over the course of the year.
CUE uses The Framework for Effective Instruction as the lens through which teaching is examined. By focusing on a common, easily recognizable set of instructional best practices, both teachers and coaches have a clear understanding of what effective instruction looks like.
FEI is built around eight components. For example, one component is that classes should be structured like a workshop, with time for the introduction of new material, time to practice, and time to review and reflect. Another is that teachers should explicitly teach students specific learning strategies, such as questioning, inferring, and making connections. Finally, all students should be engaged in tasks that require higher order thinking skills (HOTS).
This work is part of the larger redesign effort EHS community has undertaken to provide Epping's students with the best education possible.