SGAP Part 1 Data Dialogue

Taylor:  Hi Emma, thanks for meeting with me today to take a closer look at your data so we can figure out possible areas of your teaching practice to develop a shared goal and action plan.

Emma:  Hi Taylor.  I forgot we were talking about this today.  Just hearing the word “data” makes me uncomfortable.

Taylor:  Oh, I’m sorry Emma, I thought I sent you some information ahead of time about looking at your Program Profile report together.  Did you get that?

Emma:  Yes, I did, but since data kind of scares me I didn’t really want to look at it.  What did you think about it?

Taylor:  Well, before we talk about it, I wonder if you could tell me more about your past experiences with reviewing data.  It sounds like you might have had some negative things happen.  Is that true?

Emma:  Thanks for asking.  Yes, it was pretty negative.  I was teaching in another program and we were using the Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment to follow children’s learning goals.  Our director would read the results for each classroom in front of all the teachers, which was really humiliating.  There were several times when my children’s scores were low and it was so embarrassing to have to listen to that with everyone else there.

Taylor:  Wow, that must have been really awful and humiliating like you said.  I can understand why you would have negative feelings about data and talking about it.  I’m glad you shared that with me so I can support you and I want to assure you that I would never share anything about your data with anyone else.

Emma:  Thanks for letting me know.  You probably know a lot more about using data than I do.

Taylor:  Well, I’ve looked at other program profile reports with educators on my caseload.  I start by asking you what your strengths were and we point those out together.  I also like to talk about “opportunities for growth” not what you’re doing wrong.

Emma:  Oh, ok.  I know there are some things I could do better with and it’s a relief to hear that you won’t use that to judge me as a teacher.

Taylor:  It’s important to me to stay positive and non-judgmental as a coach.  Why don’t we start with you telling me what you know you do well and feel good about before we open the program profile report and look at that together.  How does that sound?

Emma:  That sounds good to me.  I know I do a good job of preparing all children for transitions throughout the day.

Taylor:  I’m so glad to hear you feel good about that.  Let’s open the program profile report…look at how your strength with transitions is showing up here!  It looks like you’re also strong in the child engagement area by encouraging the toddlers to be verbally and physically involved in your circle time activities.