Early childhood educators are leaders. Learning leadership skills takes time and experience. We can leverage our experiences to continually grow in our professional practices. Effective design and implementation involve an iterative process where we observe, interpret, develop meaning and knowledge, make a plan, and try the plan (Lesaux, 2021). The “TRY” is the implementation part of the plan where we experiment. This Zaentz 5-part learning cycle (Lesaux, 2021) could be used in many ways. I will focus on using this cycle for performance evaluation.
Professionals often engage in evaluations of their performance and benefit from predictable interactions with their supervisors that are built on mutual respect and a caring environment. However, a basic need we have as professionals on a journey toward continuous learning and improvement is psychological safety.
Fran, the site director at You Are My Sunshine Center, was on her way to observe her staff member with little warning or predictable routine. She sprung the observation on her staff member at the last minute. Fran says to her staff words like, “I have to get these observations/paperwork done” and “don’t worry…no pressure.” These statements to her staff member show lack of awareness that this performance evaluation could be causing her staff stress, anxiety, and/or negative feelings.
Psychological safety can be created when we are in tune and responsive to the needs of others. Fran would benefit by observing how her actions and statements are creating a culture of warmth and care that bring out the best in her staff. These interpretations can lead to better understanding and goal setting.
One possible goal for Fran might be to establish a predictable procedure around performance evaluations. For example, she could use a preconference meeting with her staff that happens before the formal observation where staff share the lesson or activity plan prior to the formal observation. This could help staff have more control and help develop rapport between Fran and her team. Once Fran has tried the new performance evaluation plan, she would continue making adjustments as a result of the iterative process of using the learning cycle. Growth can occur when we feel safe in a caring environment. Just like flowers need the right conditions to grow, educators and children need psychological safety in order to thrive.
Source: Lesaux, N. (2021). Zaentz 5-part learning cycle for effective design and implementation. Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts.