Model status report

Title of Model: Institution of a Master Teacher Program in the Primary School System.
Aim: To develop a model that will lead to the implementation of a Master
Teacher Program in primary schools in Grenada.

Problem Statement & Context:
Primary school student teachers who have completed their training and have returned to the classroom are experiencing problems transferring the knowledge and skills gained in training to the classroom. As a result, many have difficulties translating objectives into activities and helping students to achieve these objectives. Additionally, many experience classroom management problems. This situation is grave and must be addressed as it has implication for students’ performance both in their current class and later on at other levels of the school system. In light of this situation, a model focusing on the implementation of a master teacher program will be developed. Senior certified teachers will be trained to perform the role of master teacher. The implementation of this model will ensure that the newly trained teachers are coached and the transfer process facilitated.
The model focuses on the primary schools (System) which is controlled and influenced by the education system (Suprasystem). Emphasis in the model will be placed on senior certified teachers, newly trained teachers and students (Subsystems). Two examples of how information will be transmitted are: From the trainer to the senior certified teachers and from the senior certified teachers to the newly trained teachers (Information channels). The training materials and discussion groups (Interface) will play an important role in the successful implementation of this model.
In the initial stage of the development of this model, front end analysis will play a critical role. It is important that a proper diagnosis be made of the problem. This analysis will enable the designer to pinpoint the needs. This will then lead to careful analysis of the cost which is a prerequisite for prioritizing the needs and ensuring that the most urgent need is addressed.
The implementation of this model in the primary school will lead to change in the system. Many of the teachers and principals may be resistant to change. To manage the change process, it will be important to build into the model, workshops and a symposium to ‘sell’ the idea to the schools. One of the means of doing this would be to use case studies of the successful use of this program by other school systems in the Region. Emphasis will be on disseminating information as to how the education system can benefit from this implementation.
Once a decision is made to accept the change, a pilot study will be conducted. This will involve the training and implementation of the master teacher system in three primary schools for a period of six months. This will be followed by local (each school) and regional (groups of schools) discussion on the workings of the progam. The teachers who participated in the pilot study will be used as facilitators in these workshops. Following this, the program will be implemented in all the primary schools. After one year of trial, follow-up surveys will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the program.
Two factors that will be taken into consideration as the program is planned and implemented are the additional responsibility for the master teacher. The work load of these teachers will increase. This will adversely affect the change process. To counter this, the second factor that will be considered is renumeration. The teachers maybe more willing to accept and be a part of the change if they are rewarded.