What does it mean to be a professional educator-and what conditions help educators do their best work and continue to grow?
NYS STEPS creates an opportunity to rethink educator evaluation as part of something bigger: a culture of professionalism, continuous learning, meaningful feedback, and growth.
Across two days, participants will explore how STEPS can support a stronger vision of the teaching profession-and how educator growth connects to student growth and Portrait of a Graduate.
What will we explore?
* Reimagine Professionalism: Elevate teaching as a profession grounded in expertise, reflection, collaboration, and growth.
* Make Growth the Goal: Use observation, feedback, coaching, and professional learning to strengthen practice.
* Make Feedback Matter: Move beyond "gotcha” moments toward evidence, reflection, learning, and improvement.
* Connect Educator & Student Growth: Explore how growing educators supports the development of the skills and competencies we want for every graduate.
* Create Conditions for Growth: Build the leadership, structures, and culture that make professional learning part of everyday work.
* Build Coherence: Connect evaluation, professional learning, instructional improvement, and school priorities-not another layer of work.
Make growth part of the culture.
Through collaboration, reflection, practical examples, and application, participants will explore what it looks like when evaluation is not the destination-but one part of a larger system designed to support professional learning, instructional excellence, and educator growth.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of NYS STEPS and practical ideas for strengthening the connections among feedback, professional learning, instructional practice, school improvement, and Portrait of a Graduate.
For questions regarding this activity, please contact
Zena Stevens.