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Dana Schafer - Teacher Evaluation Report 1 - 2023-24

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Teacher Evaluation Report

Teacher: Dana Schafer


School: Hunting Hills High School
Current Assignment: LAT Gr. 9 and Math 9
Dates of Observations: Oct 10, Oct 18 and Oct 25
Date of Report: Nov 30, 2023

Introduction
Hunting Hills has a student population of approximately 1 400, with a professional staff of 75
certificated staff and 40 support staff. Highly academic programs, as well as programs for
struggling students, formed the basis for these evaluations. The school provides a diverse range
of programs and subjects. In addition to regular classes, Advanced Placement, a Registered
Apprenticeship Program (RAP), Sports Excellence, and a full range of special education classes
are offered at Hunting Hills. Other courses include extensive fine arts and a full complement of
career and technology studies (CTS) courses.

This evaluation has been conducted in compliance with Administrative Procedure 422 - Teacher
Growth, Supervision, and Evaluation for the purpose of future employment. Three formal
evaluations were completed, along with multiple walkthrough supervision visits, access to the
teacher's grade book (PowerSchool) and long/short term range lesson/unit plans, and formal
and informal conversations surrounding growth and development.

Ms. Schafer is in her first year of employment with Red Deer Public Schools and we are lucky
enough to have her at Hunting Hills High School. Ms. Schafer was hired as the Grade 9
Learning Assistance Teacher and has extensive experience as a classroom teacher, a school
administrator and working in inclusive education.

Teaching Dimension - Fostering Effective Relationships


Ms. Schafer has created a classroom where students feel welcomed, safe, and respected. She
provides a consistent and structured environment conducive to learning. Within this learning
environment, it is visible that Dana has created positive relationships with her students and
treats each student with respect. Before class begins, Ms. Schafer is greeting her students at
the door and engaging in conversation with students about their lives and interests. She
understands the correlation between building trust and fostering relationships with her students
and the ultimate success they can have in her classroom.

HUNTING HILLS HIGH SCHOOL


150 Lockwood Ave, Red Deer, AB, Canada T4R 2M4 | P: 403-342-6655 | F: 403-341-4335 | hhhs@rdpsd.ab.ca
Principal: D. Roscoe Vice Principals: J. Bussard | R. Kure | S. Lower | C. Pobuda
Business Manager: D. Palmer Office Manager: R. Bysterveld
Dana skillfully manages her classroom with clear instructions, proximity and a wonderful sense
of humor. It is obvious that Dana has built daily routines and structure into her lessons as
students are aware of expectations and are prepared for their learning. Dana is skillful in her
questioning and tries to connect with every student daily. She values the input of all students
and challenges them to think about their learning.

Dana has exceptional interpersonal skills and can communicate effectively with a wide range of
clientele with diverse needs and their parents. Dana is patient and compassionate, and the staff
and students appreciate the support she provides. Dana's strong skills in providing inclusive
programming and her ability to implement learning strategies to help students overcome
obstacles is improving the learning success of our Grade 9’s. Dana’s strong rapport with
students is demonstrated in her conversations in the classroom, hallways, and fishbowl.

Part of the LAT's role is to communicate with teachers about specific student's needs and help
implement strategies to support the teacher within the classroom. Dana has done well at
building relationships with staff so they feel comfortable discussing learning supports and having
her in their classroom. Dana is approachable, patient and willing to help when needed. She has
a positive attitude and is ready to support and tackle the difficult students in our building. Dana
is passionate about providing the best learning environment for the students in grade 9.

Dana is a supporter of Hunting Hills and is often at extracurricular activities cheering on our
sports teams or becoming involved in activities that are happening around the building. Dana
helped to organize a ribbon cutting for staff and students of our new Humanities Area.

Teaching Dimension - Engaging in Career-Long Learning


Ms. Schafer has a strong background in educational leadership and inclusive education. She
collaborates daily with her other LAT colleagues and is very open to feedback and information to
help support and build a strong learning assistance program for our Grade 9’s. She is
responsible for supporting the diverse learning needs of inclusive students in her grade and has
tirelessly worked to find resources, supports and best practices to aid in these students
educational success at our school. She has recently attended the ATA Council for Inclusive
Education Conference,Weaving the Threads of Inclusive Education, broadening her knowledge
in this area.

Ms. Schafer collaborates with her math colleagues regularly, providing a consistent Math 9
program for our school. She seeks out feedback from her students to provide the best learning
environment possible. Ms. Schafer is well organized; she puts much thought into each lesson
she plans. Dana works diligently to plan math activities specific to the learners in her classroom
with purpose and learner outcomes in mind. I observed a lesson on Order of Operations, and
Dana skilfully scaffolded her lesson so that the students understood the concept and it is

HUNTING HILLS HIGH SCHOOL


150 Lockwood Ave, Red Deer, AB, Canada T4R 2M4 | P: 403-342-6655 | F: 403-341-4335 | hhhs@rdpsd.ab.ca
Principal: D. Roscoe Vice Principals: J. Bussard | R. Kure | S. Lower | C. Pobuda
Business Manager: D. Palmer Office Manager: R. Bysterveld
reflective of their learning. The students in class are comfortable asking questions and “talking
math”. During an observation, students did a Gallery Walk exercise to facilitate a unit review.
Students were grouped purposefully on ability for each station. I witnessed students engaged in
their individual learning, supporting their classmates' learning and thinking about where they are
in relation to knowing the outcomes. This exercise will help guide the students focus when
studying for the exam. It was very evident the students are invested in their learning and Dana
effortlessly reinforces the concepts she is teaching. After her lessons, Dana self-reflects to
determine if anything should be changed to improve that topic or if there are better methods she
could implement to support the learning in the classroom.

Teaching Dimension - Demonstrating a Professional Body of


Knowledge
Ms. Schafer is a very well-planned and prepared educator. Ms. Schafer’s teaching assignment is
Learning Assistance Teacher for Grade 9 Students and Math 9. Besides the Math 9 classroom,
Dana’s daily routine is not that of a typical teacher. She regularly works with other teachers,
trying to implement learning strategies to support individual students in their classes and guiding
teachers with different best practices when delivering their curriculum. She is well-versed in
learning outcomes, instructional activities, assessment practices, and learning resources and
materials to support teachers in the classroom.

Ms. Schafer is a vital member of the Grade 9 Learning Support Team. She is responsible for
coordinating the meetings, gathering information on the referrals and discussing what support is
needed for students that have been identified. She oversees any academic referral, deciding on
interventions and if testing is necessary. Dana does the Level B assessments to determine
where a student may be struggling and if further psycho-educational assessments are needed.
She communicates the educational profile of the students to their teachers and the
accommodations that will be needed throughout the school year.

Dana does a great job of communicating with the parents about the support our school can
provide. She is also instrumental in coordinating wrap-around meetings with parents when a
student is at risk academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. Dana also helps students make
sense of their academic struggles and shows them that they can achieve success when support,
interventions, and accommodations are utilized.

Teaching Dimension - Establishing Inclusive Learning Environments


Dana welcomes all students into her classes and ensures they feel safe and cared for. Ms.
Schafer believes that all students can achieve success and ensures she provides different levels

HUNTING HILLS HIGH SCHOOL


150 Lockwood Ave, Red Deer, AB, Canada T4R 2M4 | P: 403-342-6655 | F: 403-341-4335 | hhhs@rdpsd.ab.ca
Principal: D. Roscoe Vice Principals: J. Bussard | R. Kure | S. Lower | C. Pobuda
Business Manager: D. Palmer Office Manager: R. Bysterveld
of support to individuals who need them to succeed. She has detailed lesson plans which follow
the program of studies and have specific modifications or adaptations for students who need
additional help. In addition, Dana has a week at a glance on the board where she writes down
assignments, upcoming assessments, and daily activities. This, along with her verbal reminders,
and her use of BrightSpace, Dana has reached all learning types to ensure they are aware of
the happenings in her classes.

Ms. Schafer constantly circulates the room during class time, while instructing, and during work
time so she can see if students understand the concepts and can help students if they need her
assistance. As a result, students feel comfortable asking questions one-on-one or in front of the
class during instruction time. This is a testament to the safe and caring environment Dana has
created in her classes. When Dana answers a question, she guides students through the
answers and asks them several questions, allowing them to come up with their own conclusion
and making them feel confident and respected. Dana encourages students to seek extra help
from her or other math teachers during Flex.

As a LAT, Dana is accommodating to the unpredictability of her students. She possesses a


flexible attitude and unconditional positive regard to ensure her students feel safe and
understood. Dana respects each student's beliefs and struggles and never asserts her personal
values or beliefs. She develops trust and a collaborative approach to working towards her
students' goals with all invested parties. Dana is sensitive to the needs of diverse populations,
including people with developmental delays, multi-cultural populations, and people who are
members of the LGBTQ2+ community.

Dana works hard in her classroom and in her role as the Grade 9 Learning Assistance Teacher
to help instill and promote the Power of H to the Hunting Hills community.

Teaching Dimension - Applying Foundational Knowledge about First


Nations, Metis and Inuit
Ms. Schafer is an advocate for the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities. Dana is
well-versed in FNMI education, including Truth and Reconciliation practices. Dana helped
implement activities during our school's acknowledgment of Canada's National Day for Truth
and Reconciliation on September 28, 2023. Dana also supported the different activities planned
during “Secret Path Week” put on by our Social Department and our FNMI Support Worker,
helping to integrate Indigenous teaching cross-curricular.
Ms. Schafer is very aware of the importance of implementing foundational knowledge of
Indigenous Peoples into every student’s learning. I observed Dana implement a lesson on
measurement using Indigenous recipes and showed a video about “potlash”, a West Coast
Indigenous tradition of sharing a meal. She strives to recognize and give respect to our FNMI

HUNTING HILLS HIGH SCHOOL


150 Lockwood Ave, Red Deer, AB, Canada T4R 2M4 | P: 403-342-6655 | F: 403-341-4335 | hhhs@rdpsd.ab.ca
Principal: D. Roscoe Vice Principals: J. Bussard | R. Kure | S. Lower | C. Pobuda
Business Manager: D. Palmer Office Manager: R. Bysterveld
students' culture and history. She works to establish positive relationships with her students and
families. Dana promotes important FNMI culture and history throughout her interactions at
school and works hard to educate those around her and promote positive cultural exchange.

Dana is also responsible for the Success in School meetings involving students in care that are
in Grade 9. Many of these students are Indigenous and Dana does an excellent job of
respecting their cultural needs and promoting, coordinating, and facilitating a connection to their
culture. Dana often collaborates with our FNMI Support worker, to find and become more
knowledgeable around resources she may be able to provide her students.

Teaching Dimension - Adhering to Legal Frameworks and Policies


Ms. Schafer is a caring and compassionate teacher who is student-centered and
student-focused. Dana is accountable to students, parents, and staff and utilizes outside
resources when necessary. Dana remains current in her practice to provide the best support
possible to our students. Dana provides an inclusive environment and treats staff and students
in a respectful, polite and caring manner. She provides punctual and timely feedback to
students, parents, and staff.

Dana dresses professionally, which is conducive to learning. Dana comes to work prepared and
well organized as her positions can be somewhat unpredictable, often being pulled in many
directions throughout the day. Dana maintains up-to-date on using Powerschool and is
responsible for the attendance of students in the Fishbowl. Dana is also responsible for logging
information in Powerschool and running the Grade 9 Student Support Team meetings.

Ms. Schafer maintains professional rapport with parents in interviews and all communications.
She contacts parents to keep them aware of their child's progress, classroom behaviors and
educational struggles regularly.

Conclusion
It has been determined that Dana Schafer's practice is meeting the Teaching Quality Standard. I
will be writing a final evaluation in April 2024. I look forward to working with Dana throughout
this school year and Hunting Hills is fortunate to have Dana Schafer as a staff member.

HUNTING HILLS HIGH SCHOOL


150 Lockwood Ave, Red Deer, AB, Canada T4R 2M4 | P: 403-342-6655 | F: 403-341-4335 | hhhs@rdpsd.ab.ca
Principal: D. Roscoe Vice Principals: J. Bussard | R. Kure | S. Lower | C. Pobuda
Business Manager: D. Palmer Office Manager: R. Bysterveld
_______________________________ ____________________________
Darwin Roscoe, Principal Date

Shelley Lower November 28, 2023


Shelley Lower, Vice-Principal Date

I have read and discussed this report with Shelley Lower and have received an original copy.
Comments or concerns related to this report are noted below.

_____________________________ ______________________________
Dana Schafer Date

Comments

CC: Mr. Darwin Roscoe, Principal


Shelley Lower, Vice-Principal
Mrs. Corrine Thorsteinson, Associate Superintendent of Peoples Services

HUNTING HILLS HIGH SCHOOL


150 Lockwood Ave, Red Deer, AB, Canada T4R 2M4 | P: 403-342-6655 | F: 403-341-4335 | hhhs@rdpsd.ab.ca
Principal: D. Roscoe Vice Principals: J. Bussard | R. Kure | S. Lower | C. Pobuda
Business Manager: D. Palmer Office Manager: R. Bysterveld

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