Nixa teachers expand peer-observation and in-house professional development programs

Mike Copeland, a member of the Nixa Board of Education, opened the board’s February meeting and introduced several school presentations on teacher collaboration.

High Point Elementary described a teaching-studies program it began about three years ago in which teachers are observed by team members. According to the presentation, participating teachers choose whether to be observed; colleagues offer feedback and the staff reported “tremendous growth” as a result of the process. The High Point presentation did not name an individual classroom teacher who led the remarks; the board packet referred to the material as a staff-developed initiative.

Matthews Elementary summarized a peer-led professional development session called Camp Matthews. On a recent professional development day, Matthews staff selected which peer-led sessions to attend and exchanged strategies intended to increase student performance. The Matthews presentation emphasized teacher-to-teacher learning as a key mechanism for sharing effective classroom practices.

Both schools framed these programs as internal, staff-driven approaches to improving instruction rather than initiatives imposed by central office. Board members asked questions during the meeting about program logistics and follow-up; the transcript does not record formal board action or a vote related to either program.

The board’s discussion placed the programs in the context of district priorities for instructional improvement and professional collaboration.