A highly respected principal told this story in one of our workshops about the need to support her teachers in their classroom craft. “Yes, I believe in professional learning for my teachers. I know the teacher is the key to success for the kids in
Coaching has become an important professional learning methodology for educators in recent years (van Nieuwerburgh & Barr, 2017). Initiatives designed to enhance teaching practice have been the focus of many programs, whether the coaching is provided by peers or by specialist instructional coaches (Knight, 2007).
Have you heard comments like these from educators you’re leading or coaching when you’ve presented solid evidence for a research-based instructional strategy? “I tried that. I had to go back and reteach everything—what a waste of time.” “These students aren’t ready.” “My classroom is rigorous”
A teacher in a differentiated classroom does not classify herself as someone who ‘already differentiates instruction.’ Rather that teacher is fully aware that every hour of teaching, every day in the classroom can reveal one more way to make the classroom a better match for
Many schools and districts see the value in having an instructional coach to support teachers. But how can an instructional coach, who often serves as the only person in that role on a faculty, receive feedback to improve her own practice? In this article, we
In my National Writing Project summer institute, each morning begins with a participant sharing a short powerful text to use as an inspiration for writing. This last year, NWP fellow Nancy Tacke shared a poem entitled “I Remember.” The poem first listed several intense memories
We all know lesson planning takes time and a lot of effort. Co-planning for co-teaching requires dedicated time and collaborative effort by two or more people. Whether co-planning with another educator or a student teacher, the co-planning process involves additional tasks not found in individual
Classrooms can feel like private spaces. And as coaches, we may find ourselves lingering on the threshold of classroom doors, unsure about how to proceed. We know that a significant amount of our time ought to be spent where the action is, with students and
As another Father’s Day draws near, I wonder why we forget to sing praises to our fathers more often. I am guilty of this. From day to day, I am more apt to raise a tribute to my mother—who definitely deserves every praise given. However,
Each summer teachers are encouraged to register for a variety of staff development opportunities that may include: Curricular content, instructional design, content mapping, and content delivery How to support student learning through classroom organization and management How to engage students with appropriate modifications by responding