In collaboration with the Diocese of Arlington Catholic Schools, Teach Learn Thrive presents
Instructional Rounds
A collaborative learning opportunity for educators in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia
What are Instructional Rounds?
A group of educators from across the diocese spend a day…
>> Visiting classrooms at a host school
>> Discussing observations; identifying patterns in the observations
>> Celebrating best practices in place at the school; exploring ideas for next level of learning or focus in the school or diocese
Why Instructional Rounds?
Benefits to teachers and leaders, schools, and the diocese include
>> Building a common understanding of effective teaching and learning
>> Increasing teacher agency through peer-to-peer learning and seeing best practices in action, in real time
>> Cultivate collaboration across the diocese focused on teaching and learning
>> Grow collective efficacy by prodiving feedback to the school and identifying strengths and areas for more learning
>> Ignite curiosity and inspiration with new instructional ideas observed and discussed
Instructional Rounds Details
What: A full-day collaborative learning experience
Who: Any educator (from teacher to principal) in a diocesan school. Suggestion: Bring two people from your school, a teacher and a leader.
When: Wednesday, October 8, 2025; 8:30am - 2:30pm
Where: Holy Spirit Catholic School, Annandale, Va.
A second day of rounds at another host school will occur in Spring 2026. Details will be released in late 2025.
“It is clear that closed classroom doors will not help us educate students to high levels. It is also clear that what happens in classrooms matters for student learning and we can do more together than we can do individually to improve learning and teaching . . . the image of the teacher behind the closed classroom door is giving way to an image of an open door, but many educators are not sure what to look for when they open the door or what to do with what they see.”
— Elizabeth City, Instructional Rounds in Education
FAQs
Who should participate in rounds?
Any educator in a CDA school (teachers, coaches, curriculum coordinators, asst. principals, principals, etc.) who are interested in learning from other teachers, discussing teaching and learning with colleagues.
How many people can participate from one school?
Because there is a cap of 25 participants, we request that a school send no more than one or two educators. Ideally, a classroom teacher and a leader from a school would attend together.
What is the schedule for the day?
Arrival, connecting
Mini-PD: How to collect specific, nonjudgmental evidence; understanding the problem of practice
Observations: Teams of 4 disperse and observe 3-4 assigned classes
Debrief (over a working lunch): Collect anonymous qualitative observation data; distill into schoolwide patterns; discuss patterns vis-a-vis best instructional practices
Conclude: Identify feedback for the school; reflect on personal and team learnings
Exact times will vary based on the school’s classroom schedule.
Who is the facilitator?
Sarah Dugan plans and facilitates rounds, in collaboration with the school principal.
I have more questions!
Sarah is happy to answer questions about this opportunity. Email her at sarah@teach-learn-thrive.com.
Watch Rounds in Action
This video from St. Michael University School in Victoria, British Columbia, shows a faculty moving through all the steps in the rounds process.