Post Messenger Recorder -

Peer-to-peer learning is not only something the School District of Belleville wants their students to engage in, but their teaching staff too can benefit from this learning technique. District Administrator Nate Perry says: "The school district's three-year strategic plan was developed with input from parents. As part of our Staff Excellence goal, the district has placed an emphasis on staff observing their peers around best instructional practices. There is a tremendous amount that can be gained by watching other teachers who excel at their craft."

If one thinks about it, we are all a bit of a conglomerate of who we have learned from over the years, beginning with our first teachers – our parents. As we grow and develop, we continue to build on what we have learned, taking bits and pieces from our teachers, coaches, and adult mentors with whom we intersect with in our lives to hone our interests, skills, and knowledge. Just think back to who helped make you who you are today? We all can recall that light bulb moment (or two) where we really took in information, digested it, and made it our own. For teachers, there is no difference. While they may utilize peer-to-peer activities with their students in the classroom for optimal learning, it shouldn't stop there...and it hasn't in Belleville.

Educators in the Belleville Elementary School are currently making time to watch their co-workers demonstrate their best selves in the classroom and hopefully are able to pick up on some tricks of the trade from others in their field. Everyone has their strategies for teaching, and inviting colleagues in to see what other teachers are doing for their students in their own space builds a wonderful mentoring environment for educators as they work together to offer best practices for the good of their students no matter what the subject matter is. Principal Kelsey Schmit believes in the importance of making the time for such professional peer-to-peer observation for her staff and notes, "As a member of the Partnerships in Comprehensive Literacy Model, Belleville Elementary staff are part of Collaborative Learning Communities. The opportunity to see each other teach is a valuable tool for professional learning. Staff are able to observe one another and debrief the why and how behind specially designed instruction. Teachers have shared how valuable these experiences are and take strategies back to their own classrooms to implement with students."

As adults, we can work to narrow our focus and pull in the additional training necessary to continue to grow in our professional crafts, but it takes time and effort. Belleville Elementary School understands this hardship and is doing its best right now to make this an attainable possibility for its teachers. With this opportunity being implemented, educators can choose to seek out to learn from the best and add that extra educational "helping" to their plates so they can make their own buffet filled with exciting choices to aid learners as they return to their classrooms.

With busy lives, busy days, and busy classroom schedules, having an administrative team willing to create a path forward for teachers to mentor one another through peer-to-peer observation is such a benefit. Teacher shortages have made it even tougher for educators to take time away to engage in professional development outside of their classrooms, so doing a home-grown version that keeps Belleville teachers moving forward is both creative and nurturing for everyone right down to the students they serve!