Monday, November 29, 2010

Check out this link for the National Conference of the William Glasser Institute-Australia

It is going to be a conference to remember.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Choice Theory

This is a true story about the power of choice. If we ever think that students are not mature enough to make significant choices then how are they going to do this when they are faced with lifestyle choices in the future such as the one like the cab driver in this story.

Glasser's need for freedom is a genetic instruction. It is one of five needs that drive behaviour.  If it is a strong need, students will meet it in on one way or the other- sometimes in ways that may not be conducive to their learning and the learning of others.

Providing opportunites for students to have a sense of choice is important for all students.  This may be viewed as difficult in the classroom but the alternative is to deal with the ways in which students creatively meet that need.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Collegial Coaching

Collegial Coaching is a program with huge potential to improve learning outcomes.  As the name suggests it involves two teachers - the inviting teacher and the collegial coach who use the process with each other.

There is a significant difference between evaluation and coaching. In Collegial Coaching, the coach gathers data from the inviting teacher prior to observing the classroom and then feeds that information back to the inviting teacher for the purposes of self evaluation.

At no time does the coach "evaluate' the inviting teacher.

Another significant difference about Collegial Coaching is that there is no pre conceived set of principles with which to compare the lesson. The criteria for observations comes from a rich, focussed discussion in the pre conference about the underlying beliefs of the inviting teacher about effective learning and teaching and managing the classroom.

These powerful discussions build strong, shared pedagogical knowledge and in turn strengthen working relationships between teachers.

Friday, November 12, 2010

New Zealand School

I visited a school in Hamilton New Zealand this afternoon.  In the past I have been involved in the school promoting the New Zealand Glasser Institute.  This school is going to host Bob Sullo in February.  They are hosting the full day workshop on Saturday 12 February and then in the afternoon of 14 February.  Bob is doing a nationwide tour .  Check out his website.

In Queensland the ET Program -Excellence in Teaching is going to underwrite Bob's session on the Gold Coast on 22nd February, with any profits going to the William Glasser Institute-Australia.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Choice Theory

The ET Program - Excellence in Teaching is endorsed by the William Glasser Institute-Australia.  This is something that we are very proud of. 


The program teaches practical ways to implement the psychology of Choice Theory in the classroom.

Welcome to the Choosing Excellence Blog

The Choosing Excellence blog is a place where you can keep up to date with what is happening with the Excellence in Teaching program.  The Excellence In Teaching website gives you information about our program options.  Take a minute to login and check it out.