T-TESS & Teacher Choice / T-TESS-Planning: Dimension 3.3

Planning: Dimension 3.3

Dimension 3.3 Classroom Culture:

The teacher leads a mutually respectful and collaborative class of actively engaged learners.

Clarifying Statement:

This dimension focused on what the teacher does to establish a classroom culture that is mutually respectful, collaborative and consistently represented by students who are authentically engaged in learning, and social-emotional needs are met.

Standards Basis:

Standards Basis: 1E, 1F, 3B, 4C, 4D, 5A, 5B, 5D

Possible Sources of Evidence:

Conferences and Conversations with the Teacher
Formal Observations/ Walkthroughs
Classroom Artifacts
Analysis of Student Data

T-TESS Alignment to Practice
- Teachers lead and maintain classrooms where all students are actively engaged in learning as evident through their level of motivation and on-task behaviors.
- Teachers maintain a culture that is based on high expectations for student performance and encourages students to be self-motivated, taking responsibility for their own learning.
- All interactions within and outside the classroom demonstrate caring and respect for others.
- Respectful relationships are evident with all classroom interactions, e.g., teacher to student and student to student, where collaboration is encouraged, structured, and used to build relationships at all levels.
Key Questions
- How are students empowered and expected to support a positive classroom culture?
- How does everyone in the classroom exhibit patience and respect with peers?
- What opportunities are there for students to collaborate and model expected cultural norms?
- How does the culture support all students feeling comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings and concerns with others, including communication when there are internal struggles?

Distinguished

Consistently engages all students with relevant, meaningful learning based on their interests and abilities to create a positive rapport amongst students.
Students collaborate positively and encourage each other’s efforts and achievements.

Accomplished

Engages all students with relevant, meaningful learning, sometimes adjusting lessons based on student interests and abilities.
Students collaborate positively with each other and the teacher.

Proficient

Developing

Establishes a learning environment where most students are engaged in the curriculum.
Students are sometimes disrespectful of each other.

Improvement Needed

Establishes a learning environment where few students are engaged in the curriculum.
Students are disrespectful of each other and of the teacher.