This document outlines an activity to help teachers reflect on the characteristics of the best teacher they ever had. Participants will write characteristics on sticky notes and sort them into four domains of teaching. They will then read summaries in small groups and discuss what stood out in each summary. Finally, teachers will read about common themes in teaching and discuss how to incorporate those themes into their own practice. The goal is to help teachers analyze teaching rubrics, practice metacognition, and set goals to improve in challenging areas.

2. The Best Teacher I Ever Had Was…
0 Think of the best teacher you’ve ever had.
Why do you call her/him “The Best”?
What characteristics make that person stand out in
your memory?
0 Write 1 characteristic per sticky-note in a word or
short phrase <Silent Activity – 3 minutes>
0 Sort these characteristics into the 4 domains &
discuss <Group activity – 5 minutes>
0 Debrief the process <Whole-Group activity>

3. Summary Jigsaw
0 Read your group’s summary silently, taking notes as you
go. <Silent Activity – 5 minutes>
0 Number off by 4 & join groups by number
0 All 1s together, all 2s together, etc.
0 Discuss your group’s summary. <Small Groups – 5 minutes>
 What stands out to you and why?
 Did you notice or miss something others did not?
0 Return to tables, teach your summary to the others, and
learn about their summaries, too!
0 Discuss, then debrief the process

4. Common Themes
0 Self-select 1 of the Common Themes to
read (pages 32-38)
0 Think As You Read: <Silent Activity – 3 minutes>
 How do you/could you incorporate this theme
into the work you do in each of the 4 Domains?
0 Discuss these ideas with others who selected
the same Common Theme. <Small Groups – 5
minutes>
0 Report out & discuss with the whole group

5. Next Meeting…
0 On Your Own
Read about Domains 1 & 2
0 Together We Will:
Analyze Characteristics of Danielson’s Rubrics
Practice “Metacognition”
Self-Select Goals for Challenge Areas
February 15, 2012
3:45 pm, Board Room