SamTastic Weekly Tip – 2/7/22: Use Your TimeTrack Data

Today’s Tip: Use Your TimeTrack Data

Many SAM teams are completing annual evaluations for teachers and support staff in February. The best SAM teams use their TimeTrack data.

Leaders can use TimeTrack to show:

1. time spent with each teacher on instructional practice

2. number of interactions with each teacher for the year

3. amount of time spent watching the educator teach

4. amount of time talking with the teacher about lessons

5. amount of time planning with teacher, in PD sessions, PLCs

If the leaders uses TimeTrack’s NoteTrack function, a running narrative record is available, too.

Some SAM leaders copy and paste TimeTrack graphs in evaluation reports for each teacher.

Below, you can see this leader spent 45 hours and 45 minutes supporting the teacher.

Using your TimeTrack data when writing a formal evaluation may cause you to reflect on whether you are doing enough work with the teacher. One principal shared her surprise when examining TimeTrack data. When she looked at the amount of time she had been in the room one hour, and the number of times she had been in the room, three times, all in September, October and November, she realized she may not have provided the needed support. When looking at the amount of feedback she gave the teacher during the same time period she decided to spend time talking with the teacher after each visit.

The

button in the upper left of a chart allows you to toggle between the amount of time spend and the number of interactions. To get to a comparison of seeing instruction with feedback use the button in the upper right corner.

SamTastic Weekly Tip – 1/24/22: National SAM Conference this Week

Today’s Tip: National SAM Conference this Week

The 15th Annual National SAM Conference starts Thursday with three all-day sessions featuring amazing presenters.

The conference kicks into high gear Friday and Saturday with eight keynotes and 26 breakout sessions. If you are coming, great! If not, don’t despair. Two video crews are capturing in HD video each keynote and six breakout sessions. The videos, handouts, PowerPoints and print material will be posted on the website for easy access in early March.

Plan now to attend next year by including $2,295 in your 2022-23 budget. This covers all your cost except air. Enter the dates on your TimeTrack. Investing in your professional development makes sense. Having a few days to recharge the end of January makes a lot of sense, too.

2023: 16th Annual National SAM ConferenceJW Marriott Starr Pass, Tucson, Arizona Friday, February 3, 2023 and Saturday, February 4, 2023.

2024: 17th Annual National SAM ConferenceMarriott Harbor Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale, Florida Friday, January 26, 2024 and Saturday, January 27, 2024.

SamTastic Weekly Tip – 1/17/22: Appreciate Your First Responders

Take a few minutes each week in your SAM Daily Meeting to consider the impact of your First Responders and schedule time to say thanks.

Many times we assume First Responders know that their work allows the principal to spend more time on instructional work with teachers and students. Taking time to recognize First Responders, and making clear the value of their work, can make a significant difference.

One SAM principal noticed that the time needed to discuss management issues during the SAM Daily Meeting decreased significantly over a two-year period. He realized this was because the First Responder system in the school worked like a clock:

1. People requesting the principal’s time for management issues were validated by office staff and then offered help sooner from a First Responder.

2. First Responders were trained and knew how to handle issues, when to ask for help and how to keep the leader informed.

3. The school community knew how to use the First Responder system.

Time Change Coach Gena McCluskey reports several of her Missouri SAM teams identify a support staff person each week who makes a significant difference. They then schedule time for the principal to meet with the staff member to show appreciation. What a great idea.