Welcome to the ACCESS Newsletter
Dear Educators,

Over the past year, nine districts and charter schools piloted the Delaware Teacher Growth and Support System (DTGSS) - the state's revised teacher evaluation system. The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) is very grateful to the leaders and teachers who participated in the pilot and provided feedback about the system and process. This feedback has been critical to the success of the system. 

In collaboration with teachers and leaders who participated in the pilot, DDOE has developed a series of videos to inform, align and instruct Delaware educators about the state's updated evaluation system. DTGSS Films includes footage and interviews with multiple educational districts from around the state to discuss how to use DTGSS, improve practices and showcase how multiple DTGSS indicators can occur simultaneously. To learn more, check out the DTGSS Films on the DDOE YouTube page.

In this month's ACCESS newsletter, learn more about the experiences of DTGSS from educators in the pilot. Check out spotlights of three amazing leaders who have had a positive impact on student achievement through their relentless focus on gathering and analyzing data to provide actionable feedback to teachers. 

Once again, thank you for all you do to support Delaware educators. 

Enjoy!
Celebrating amazing educators participating in DTGSS pilot year 1
Shana Noll, Terry Howarth, and Jenna Camponelli are leaders at MOT Charter School who are engaged in pilot implementation of DTGSS.

Each of these instructional leaders has committed to a vision of expert instructors in every classroom. Driven by a growth-mindset and passion for learning, these leaders continue to prioritize:

  • Multiple classroom observations
  • Explicit and actionable feedback
  • Collaborative conversations about teaching and learning
Shana Noll
Interim Principal
MOT Charter High School
Jenna Camponelli
Director of Special Education
MOT Charter School, K-12
Terry Howarth
Principal
MOT Charter School, K-8
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If you would like to nominate an educator to be recognized in the Spotlight section, please email Angela Socorso.
DTGSS Feedback
DTGSS pilot leaders and teachers share their experiences with the new teacher evaluation system and mindset shift around teacher evaluation.
Q: What was your greatest success this year in the pilot?  
The greatest success was the shift in thinking from "putting on a good show" for my observations to growing as an educator. Jason Pilgrim, grade 3 teacher
 
As a district, one of our greatest successes was hitting the ground running early on with our administrators. Last summer, we spent time training and calibrating together and aligning our efforts to DTGSS. Karen Blannard, assistant superintendent

The greatest success is the focus on one specific growth area. Jessica Wagner, grade 1 teacher

The greatest success this year was the conversations that came out of conferencing and just the different look we had at evaluation process. For so long, it has been checking things off a list. Now, it is much more conversational and focused on what the students are doing and what the students are learning. Jason Cameron, personnel director
 
The greatest success this year is being in the classroom more often and being able to conference with the teachers. It’s more of a feedback and coaching model. Another great success is teachers being responsible for their own goals. Bradley Layfield, principal 
Q: What excites you the most about the Delaware Teacher Growth and Support System? 

Opportunities for professional growth. The new system helps to align high quality feedback and ongoing conversations between school administrators and teachers which spurs reflection and is imperative to increase student achievement. By supporting educators in their job, we will empower and create a strong workforce that equips students with the knowledge and skills that they need to be productive employees and citizens. Luke Rhine, DDOE Workforce Support Team

I am most excited about the shift from evaluation and rating to professional growth, feedback, and support. Anonymous, teacher 

I am excited about the ability for teachers to focus on one specific area of the tool and not get overwhelmed by all the areas. If teachers grow successfully in one area, then it will flow to the other areas. That’s what is beautiful about this tool. All of them connect. Lisa Fox, principal
Q: What do you appreciate the most about DTGSS?

I appreciate the opportunities to be able to work closely with my administrator and come up with a plan for the school year. Carmen Boriqua-Doheny, Spanish immersion teacher

The system opens the door for instructional leaders and school-based administrators to support changes and shifts for school improvement. The system lends itself to supporting professional development initiatives in the school or instructional changes because you can have conversations with teachers on specific areas and customize feedback to promote improvement.
Travis Moorman, human resources director

It has created an environment for teachers to be open to discussion. The no rating aspect of the system helps, and we can talk collaboratively with teachers about how to make this better for students. Steve Norman, administrator 

I appreciate the connections that can be made between the DTGSS and a school's HQIM. Comparing the DTGSS to a particular HQIM could prove useful in pointing out professional learning needs. Renee Parsley, DDOE elementary mathematics
What can teachers and leaders do now to prepare for statewide implementation for SY2023-2024? Learn more
Educator Resources
  • ACCESS eNewsletter: Read Delaware’s monthly eNewsletter focused on school staff evaluations. View previous issues here. 

  • DTGSS Schoology group: Get DTGSS information specific to teachers and administrators. Find downloadable resources, including training and overview materials. For access, enter Schoology code: X8WB-ZKQJ-M585J or email [email protected]