Tool: Key Decisions for Implementing Models—Remotely Located Teaching

In Remotely Located Teaching, schools without enough excellent teachers enlist fully accountable, remotely located teachers—those down the street or across the country. Remotely located teachers use technology to each and connect with students, interacting directly, but not in person. An in-person monitor is required.

School design teams should complete this checklist when considering using the Remotely Located Teaching model. As you make key decisions on implementing this model, consider how they will affect plans to combinethis model with others in your school to create a cohesive, schoolwide design.

Connection to Goals
How does this model help you achieve your goals?
How does this model work with other initiatives in your school?
How will you know whether this model is successful? How will you measure progress along the way?
Key Decision: Basic Structure
Schools may combine the job of remotely located teachers with Time or Time-Technology Swaps, Elementary Specialization, Multi-Classroom Leadership, or Class-Size Changes. Answer the following questions as they pertain to remote teachers only. Use the Key Decisions tools for these other models to define how a remotely located teacher can use these models.
How will the remotely located teacher extend his/her reach? As an MCL, subject specialist, by using a Time or Time-Technology Swap, and/ or by using Class-Size Changes?
Which subject area(s)/course(s)/grade level(s) will be affected by Remotely Located Teaching?
Which and how many students will be included in any given changes?
Which structures/supports will be in place for providing students with in-person guidance?
  • What role, if any, will other adults (e.g., paraprofessionals, other non-reach-extended teachers) have in these changes?

*Adapted from materials by Public Impact and Education Resource Strategies

Key Decision: Basic Structure
  • Who will oversee the in-person adults involved in managing the class?

What staffing changes across the school will you need to implement Remotely Located Teaching?
What instructional technology will be included in the classes to provide the instruction in classrooms?
  • What other technology will be necessary (3.g., email accounts, hardware, software, data collection tools)?

  • How will you reallocate resources to fund investment in hardware and software?

How often will the remotely located teacher and in-person support staff communicate?

Key Decision: Remotely Located Teacher Time Use

When and approximately how many hoursper day do you anticipate theremotely located teacher will spend on each of the following activities most days? (Note: If the model includes a lot of flex, please provide times ranges or examples of how time will be made available for the following activities)
Whole-group instruction
Planning and data analysis
Collaboration with other teachers
Noninstructional duties (please list)
Will the remotely located teacher have the opportunity to adjust the schedule during the year if needed?

Key Decision: Support Staff Time Use

Approximately how many hoursper day do you anticipate the in-person support staff will spend on each of the following activities most days?
Monitoring student behavior
Instructing small groups and addressing instructional questions
Planning and data analysis
Noninstructional duties (please list)
Will the remotely located teacher have the opportunity to adjust the schedule during the year if needed?
The remotely located teacher (unless he or she is also an MCL) should spend all of his/her time instructing students during the school day. This will require delegating noninstructional tasks to other professionals in the school building. As you seek to increase the impact of remotely located teachers in your school, who will be accountable for the following tasks?
  • Communicating with families?

  • Grading student work?

  • Overseeing transitions?

  • Monitoring the lunchroom/recess/dismissal/hallways?

  • Completing required paperwork (e.g., taking attendance, entering grades, scheduling conferences, etc)?

What other questions do you have?

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