Using Instructional Coaches and Planning for Professional

Development

Neelie Parker Big Ridge Elementary parker_n@hcde.org

My Story…

• Before my current school – Turn around school• Solo Administrator of a Reward School with No money!• 196 Observations to conduct• No Assistant Principal• Charged with increasing Student achievement with a staff

who doesn’t see the need for change• I do this with about 3 to 4 days a month with math • About 1 week a month with Literacy • When I first came on board…..

Where it all started….

• Our superintendent researched a model that started in the Bronx

• Made a visit to their system back in 2005• Ideas started for a specific model

What are we going to learn today…

Effective use of an instructional coach for literacy and math canbe a tremendous tool for raising student achievement. It startswith a classroom teacher who is successful.

In this session you will learn: • Strategies for effective professional learning for teachers,• How to differentiate your training through the use of a coach• Schedules and models for how to train your staff

Strategies for effective use of a coach

Let me start with a disclaimer – • The success of your plan depends on who you

hire. • You cannot use this person in an evaluative

manner• Training for the coach is necessary

How to differentiate your training…

• You must have a solid understanding of your staff as learners

• Think of them like you do your 3rd grade classroom of students

• Diagnose and prescribe – using evaluation to drive it!• Show vs. Tell – even video model• Labs – Teachers model and others watch• Survey Tools –helps to identify issues they see• Think of it in layers

How do you differentiate your training?

• Turn and Talk

Layers of Support

• School wide – Use goals/tools to anchor your focus• Professional Development Days- Full day to get a

booster• CHAT – Conversations help all teachers• Grade Level – don’t overkill this one• Specific Grade Level – 2nd and 1st example• Residency model for individuals• Consistent communication follow up with your coach • Use this follow up in feedback

How do you get teachers to buy in?

• Challenges• How did I get them invested– Both higher performing – Both Lower performing

– Video models – Experience and models – Involve the audience – Turn and Talk

How do you get buy in from your staff?

• Turn and Talk

Strategies for effective use of a coach

• Co – Teach Model – Utilizes two expert content teachers – One teaches ½ day while the other supports– The other teacher returns and ½ support for the other

coach– Benefit is that you have a model classroom and kids

(scores) benefit from an expert teacher

This works best in a high stakes situation

Schedule for this model

East Lake Elementary School School wide Master Schedule

2007-2008

Master Schedule:

• 8:00 – 11:30 Literacy Block (Math Teacher Teaching/Literacy Coach Supporting)

Mid Day Planning, Lunch and Recess for Coach Class• 11:30 – 1: 30 Math Block (Literacy Teacher Teaching/Math Coach Supporting)

• 1:30 – 2:10 Science/Social Studies

• 2:10 – 3:00 Focus Groups with Tutorials (only for targeted students)

Strategies for effective use of a coach

Residency –• An intense (push in) model • Coach works with the teacher for about 4 weeks • Week one and two is side by side• Week 3 and 4 – gradual release• After week 3 and 4 drop in • Examples – 3 teachers at BRE

Planning Template

Strategies for effective use of a coach

• Pre-Plan – do the math and anticipate • Side by side • Follow up Sharpens the focus

• This works best in math• Works best with consistency• See planning tool

Strategies for effective use of a coach

Start with effective tools: • Some of these tools are dedicated models our

district agreed upon• Video Models • The tool anchors the plan • Focus instruction for everyone• The tools should promote planning – the most

critical component

Examples of Effective Tools

• Jan Richardson – The Next Step in Guided Reading• Fountas and Pinnell –The Continuum of Literacy

Learning and Teaching for Comprehending and Fluency

• Linda Hoyt – Revisit, Reflect and Retell• Lucy Caulkins – Units of Study • Number Talks by Sherry Parrish • Habits of Mind and Interaction for Math• The Key is to pick one and stay with it….

Turn and Talk

• What tools have you used to support your teachers?

Schedules

• Sub days once a quarter• Co-Teach model – really requires intensive planning

and preparation of your staff so they know they will have to teach at certain times

• Residency • Consistent conversation with coaches

Questions?

• What questions do you have?

How to contact me?

• parker_n@hcde.org

• www.bigridge.hcde.org

Wiki link: • http://tnlead.wikispaces.com/