IRA PhoenixFebruary 2009

The Realities of Coaching

“Education is not only a process of student learning and progress, it is also one of continual growth of teacher expertise and classroom

and system improvement.”Fullan (1999)

Coaching Experiences…

SCRI-MG Teaching Team RAISSE Co-Director High School Interdisciplinary Team

Teaching Mother, Sister, Daughter, Friend, Colleague

and about another 38 hats

Letters to My Teacher

Tributes to the People Who Have Made a Difference

Edited by Barb Karg and Rick Sutherland, Avon MA: Adams Media

Mentoring is a mutuality that requires reciprocity …

What was it about you that

allowed great mentoring to

happen?

The Role of the Coach

Elementary, Middle and High Schools in Rural, Urban and

Suburban Settings

A Definition?

The role of coach is evolving and as such

it is difficult to define, in part, because the

roles vary in urban, suburban and rural

settings across elementary, middle level

and high school

And…

Because of the situational context

and the complex nature of literacy

coaching, it means different things

to different people at different times

What’s in a Name?

Literacy Coach Reading Coach Instructional Coach

The Coaching Role Evolution

Community BuildingLiving LiteracyImpact & Sustainability

Role and Qualifications of the Literacy Coach (IRA 2004)

Be an excellent classroom teacher Have an in-depth knowledge of reading

process, acquisition, assessment and instruction

Have experiences working with teachers to improve their practices; be a reflective practitioner

Role and Qualifications of the Literacy Coach (IRA 2004)

Have excellent presentation skills; have knowledge and experience presenting at local, state, and national conferences

Role and Qualifications of the Literacy Coach (IRA 2004)

Have experience or preparation that enables him to observe and model in classrooms and to provide feedback to teachers. This final criterion includes the skills necessary to be sensitive to the needs of the teacher and to engender trust in the relationship with the teacher.

Some Coaching Activities available to teachers – email, phone etc. listening & observing planning & organizing providing & suggesting resources blogging & informal conversations demonstrating & facilitating directing whole school PD

Coaching is a key professional

development endeavor to ensure best

practices and raise student

achievement. ~ Jay & Strong, 2008

Literacy coaching is important because it has the potential to effect positive change in the

learning culture of an entire school. ~ Jay & Strong, 2008

Time to stretch…

A Day in the Life of a Coach