Teaching Squares

Building connections improve teaching & learning

The Teaching Squares Program is designed to improve teaching and build community through a structured, non-threatening process of classroom observations and shared reflections.

A Teaching Square is a group of 4 faculty from different disciplines who:

• engage in 3 reciprocal classroom visits
• share teaching material
• reflect on classroom observation
• share reflections with colleagues at 1 lunch meeting.

To participate in this program or for more information contact:

Name	Ext.	Email
Donna Matsumoto	455-0200	donnamat@hawaii.edu
Della Kunimune	455-0347	kunimune@hawaii.edu
Cindy Martin	455-0483	cindymar@hawaii.edu

The Purpose
The Teaching Squares program is designed to improve teaching skills and build community through a structured, non-threatening process of classroom observation and shared reflection. The project captures the best aspects of peer evaluation – peer observation and discussions – while eliminating the elements of judgment and evaluation.

The Philosophy
The cornerstones of Teaching Squares are those critical attitudes and behaviors that, when exhibited by all participants, create a safe, mutually-supportive, energizing environment for sharing the joys and challenges of teaching. The cornerstones are:

• Reciprocity and shared responsibility which facilitate a team effort and a team result.
• Appreciation of quality teaching skills in ourselves and our colleagues
• Self-referential reflection to acknowledge and improve our own teaching methods and techniques
• Mutual respect of our colleagues and our students in a variety of classroom settings

The Benefits
By participating in Teaching Squares you will have an opportunity to:
ß observe, analyze, and celebrate good teaching
ß increase your understanding of and appreciation for the work of colleagues
ß experience the joy and confusion of being a student
ß formulate a plan for enhancing your own teaching based on your observations and the shared reflections of your Square Partners

The Origin
Teaching Squares was developed in Fall 2001 as a project of the Faculty Development Advisory Committee of St. Louis Community College in Meramec, St. Louis, Missouri.

Teaching Squares is a program initiated by Leeward Community College’s Innovation Center for Teaching & Learning.