Lead Better
Professional Supervision for Educators
Why Professional Supervision for Educators?
After 15 years in Christian Education, I observed and experienced the lack of opportunity for Educators to have conversations that focused on reflective practice. Throughout my years in Education I consistently engaged in Pastoral conversations with both students and families covering a range of experiences that presented in the classroom:
Religious experience and the spectrum of belief
Issues of identity
Questions about sexuality and gender
Family violence
Death, sickness and suffering
Many of the incidental conversations that occur in classrooms have far-reaching impacts on students. Additionally, they act as catalysts for emotions and memories in teachers, managers, chaplains and any staff member who interacts with students or their families. Reflective conversations allow teachers to integrate best practices more effectively because personal reflection sparks transformative behaviours. Supervision creates space for teachers to reflect on their work-in-role and provides a safe and confidential environment for thoughtful engagement with ethical deliberations.
How does Group Supervision work?
In Group Supervision six teachers are invited to participate in a reflective conversation guided by Erin as the facilitator. Over the course of 90 minutes, the group use a structured framework and reflective model to ask curious questions about a chosen experience or conversation (a relevant case study) presented to the group.
The Group are invited to actively listen to the selected teacher’s case study and ask reflective questions. The Transforming Experience Framework is utilized to help each of the teachers reflect on how their practice might be impacted or informed by a variety of domains: the educator-in-role, the context, the education and school system and how faith and belief might inform the work of education.
Each group is encouraged to use this conversation as a model for reflection on their own classroom experience.
Setting up Group Supervision
Typically, when starting an effective Supervision relationship Erin schedules a 90-minute setup session which clarifies how supervision works and provides an opportunity for the Supervisee to introduce themselves and their setting. Once a Supervisee understands the purpose of supervision and the types of conversations that might be helpful, they find their sessions to be intentional and impactful. In order to set up effective Supervision, Erin offers this 90-minute introduction session to working hubs. In this Professional Development Erin covers:
What is Supervision?
How does it benefit my teaching practice?
Framework (T.E.F)
Model (C.L.E.A.R)
Making Working Contracts for Groups
What kinds of conversations are helpful for Supervision?
Practicing reflection as Educators
Setting up effective Supervision Groups