POP CYCLE: Know the Flow
This happens before the POP observation and gives the Site Coordinator an opportunity to discuss your lesson plan and preparation with you.
What is the pre-conference?
This rubric should be used when completing your POP Cycle self-evaluation.
What is the Aspiring TESS/ATESS rubric?
Approximately how long should you be prepared to actively teach/facilitate instruction during your POP observation?
What is approximately 45 minutes?
This professional habit includes reading an entire email, not just the subject line or first few sentences.
What is effective communication?
You need to miss one of your scheduled residency days. What should you do?
What is notify the appropriate people and complete the required absence/change process as soon as possible?
This must be completed before teaching the POP lesson so you can use what students already know to inform your planning.
What is the pre-assessment?
When assigning yourself a rating, your explanation should include this from your actual lesson rather than simply stating, “I think I did well.”
What is evidence?
Your POP observation should allow the Site Coordinator to see you doing this, rather than primarily watching your mentor teacher lead the lesson.
What is actively teaching/facilitating instruction?
When you receive an email containing important dates, this should be one of the first things you do.
What is check the dates against my calendar/schedule?
You arrive at your residency site and learn that your mentor teacher will be absent. What should you do?
What is remain at the residency site and follow the established plan with the district-provided substitute?
Put these three major POP Cycle events in the correct order: Observation, Post-Conference, Pre-Conference.
What are Pre-Conference → Observation → Post-Conference?
When completing your self-evaluation, your explanation should connect your lesson evidence to this specific language rather than relying only on your personal opinion.
What are the ATESS rubric descriptors/look-fors?
Before confirming an observation date, name at least TWO things you should check to make sure the date and time will work.
What are my instructional schedule, mentor teacher schedule, school/district calendar, testing schedule, special events, etc.?
True or False: Professional communication includes responding to an email when a response has been requested, even if your answer is simply confirming that you received the information.
What is true?
You have already completed the minimum 270 residency hours before the semester ends. What should you do?
What is continue attending residency through the end of the semester and complete all remaining residency requirements, including my POP Cycles?
After your POP observation, these materials help you reflect on your teaching and prepare for the post-conference rather than simply waiting for your Site Coordinator's feedback.
What are the post-conference packet/self-reflection materials?
True or False: You should select your ATESS score first and then look for evidence from your lesson to justify the score you chose.
What is false? Evidence should be examined and compared with the rubric to determine the appropriate rating.
During a POP observation, the Site Coordinator is looking for evidence across these three ATESS domains most directly connected to planning, the classroom environment, and instruction.
What are Domains 1, 2, and 3?
You recognize that you may have difficulty meeting an upcoming responsibility. What is the professional approach?
What is communicate early, before the deadline or commitment is missed?
You are reviewing an upcoming POP deadline and realize you are unclear about one of the requirements. What should you do?
What is review the provided directions/resources and ask for clarification BEFORE the deadline?
Your POP observation is complete. Before your post-conference can occur, what must you complete and submit?
What is the post-conference packet?
Two people can observe the same lesson and initially select different ATESS ratings. What should they use to support and discuss which rating is appropriate?
What are specific lesson evidence and the corresponding ATESS rubric language/descriptors?
Being “observation ready” does NOT mean your lesson must be perfect. It means you should be prepared to do these three things during the lesson.
What are teach/facilitate instruction, respond to students, and make instructional decisions based on student needs?
Name at least THREE ways professionalism is demonstrated outside of how you behave while teaching students.
What are communication, preparation, meeting deadlines, reliability, attendance, responsiveness, organization, follow-through, or taking responsibility?
You realize that something may interfere with an upcoming residency responsibility. What are the THREE best professional actions to take?
What are communicate early, follow the appropriate procedure, and develop a plan to meet the responsibility or address the change?