Teaching Squares Philosophy Page



Program Philosophy Reciprocity and Shared Responsibility Through the mutual exchange of visits with our Teaching Squares partners, we assume the dual roles of the observer and the observed, teacher and student. We simultaneously experience and thus share the opportunities and risks of inviting others into our classrooms. As Teaching Squares participants we jointly assume the tasks of arranging classroom visits and exchanging course information. Self-Referential Reflection The Partner Lunch is an opportunity to report what we have learned from the observation experience. It is not an opportunity to improve a Square Partner’s teaching. By keeping our observations self-focused we avoid any hint of evaluation or judgment that could contribute to a climate of defensiveness and suspicion. Appreciation The Partner Lunch is an opportunity to identify and celebrate the behaviors and practices that create a productive environment for learning. Expressing observations in a positive way offers us a goal to be pursued and a source of energy for achieving that goal. Mutual Respect We enter our Square Partners’ classrooms with an attitude of empathy and respect for both the instructors and the students, recognizing that different methods and techniques are required in different disciplines.

Innovation Center for Teaching and Learning University of Hawai'i-Leeward Community College, Pearl City, Hawai'i
This Web Site was created following the Fair Use Guidelines for Educational Multimedia. Certain materials are included under the Fair Use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law. Further use of these materials and this Web Site is restricted. The originator of the Teaching Squares Program is Anne Wessely, St. Louis Community College, St. Louis, MO. Written permission was received to use her concept at Leeward Community College and throughout this Web Site. Last Update: April 11, 2006 Questions: Email donnamat@hawaii.edu