Supporting a Comprehensive

Approach to Supervision

18th National Education

Conference
4th July, 2005
Nassau, The Bahamas

Sharon L. Poitier
S.E.O. (Social Studies)
 Critical Questions Germane to
Supervision

What role should supervision play in the education process?

Does it improve productivity and encourage teaching excellence?

Are education leaders doing enough

at the school, district and central office
levels to ensure that teachers are performing at outstanding levels?
Why do you Supervise?
Functions of Supervision

Cheerleading

Facilitating

Stimulating

Problem Solving

Saphier, John
How to Make Supervision
And Evaluation Really Work (1993)
Functions of Supervision
(Cont’d)

Monitoring

Directing

Making Decisions

Remediating and Dismissing

Valuing Teaching as a Profession

Saphier, John
How to Make Supervision
And Evaluation Really Work (1993)
 What is the current state of
supervision?

At the school:
Observation is usually conducted by HOD & Subject Supervisor

Visits are generally announced.

Observers take notes

Examine teacher records
Examine students’ books
Note classroom environment
Conduct Post Observation
conference
 Transforming Supervision
at the School Level

A. Clinical Supervision
Conduct at least THREE Observations per year:
one announced, two un-announced

Conduct a Pre-observation conference for the announced visit

Walk about & step in often

 B. Peer Coaching

Teachers observe and provide feedback to other teachers

C. Study Groups

Teachers collaboratively engage in inquiry, reflection and dialogue

D. Self-Directed Improvement

Teacher selects a focus area for improvement and designs a

long-term plan for improvement
What is the current state of Supervision?

At the District

Observations sporadic
 Transforming Supervision at
the District Level

District Superintendents team up with Technical Officers

District Superintendents focus on new recruits

Place greater emphasis on the observation of Master Teachers

District Superintendents establish standards across the district

Greater documentation on dysfunctional teachers

District Superintendents establish standards across the district

Greater documentation on dysfunctional teachers

Place greater emphasis on the supervision of principals

and staffing needs

Deepen the Decentralization Process

with one DS for secondary schools one for primary schools
What is The Current State of
Supervision?

At The Central Office

There are Technical Officers in four Sections

of the Curriculum Division
 Humanities
• SEO Glenda Rolle – HFLE Primary
• SEO Donella Davis – Modern
Languages High School
• SEO Jewel Dean – Performing Arts
• SEO Sharon Poitier – Social Sciences
• EO Sabrina Skinner – HFLE High School
• EO Avis Lightbourn – Language Arts
High School
 Humanities Cont’d
• EO Vanria Jack – Language Arts
Primary
• EO Inez Paul – Religious Studies
High School
• EO Shirley Ferguson – Religious
Studies Primary
• EO Pamela Chandler – Art &
Design
• Ruthmae Young – HFLE Primary
Model For a Comprehensive
Approach to Supervision