What is an Instructional Coach?

"Thinking Partner"

Instructional coaches partner with teachers to help them incorporate research-based instructional practices into their teaching.

The basic role of an instructional coach in education is to increase the instructional capacity of teachers so they can better incorporate literacy or math into their instruction.(Hall, 2004) An instructional coach is one who supports others in building their teaching skills, assists others in applying new knowledge, and provides ongoing professional development.

How do we get excellent instruction in every classroom, everyday, for every student?

The Big Four (Teacher Practices that Coaches Share with Teachers)
1. Classroom Management
2. Content
3. Instruction
4. Assessment for Learning

Instructional Coaching Menu

Best Practices

Menu

Choose from a variety of options, MIX and MATCH to design what is appetizing to you! Note: All dishes are free (but chocolate will be happily accepted as payment! )

Appetizers GATHER RESOURCES – hunt for those hard to find lesson components and ideas,  CO-PLANNING – Through conversation collaboratively plan a lesson or series of lessons that meet best practices.  DIFFERENTIATION SUPPORT – Help design choice assignments or tiered activities or assessments. CLASSROOM COVERAGE – cover your class so that you can observe another colleague in your building.

Main Entrees CLASSROOM ASSISTANT – serve as another pair of hands for a lesson or another pair of eyes to track student concerns.  TEAM TEACHING EXPERIENCE – After planning cooperatively, teach a lesson together.  TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT – Create interactive Mimio lessons, find appropriate apps, or programs that enhance student engagement. DEMONSTRATION LESSON – Demonstrate a lesson in your classroom or an alternate classroom while you observe. DATA CONSERVATION – Collaboratively analyze formative assessment to make instructional decisions.

Dessert REFLECTION – Through conversation and observation, reflect on student learning in your classroom.  COLLABORATION – Help you connect with other teachers in your own building or throughout the district. BRAINSTORMING SESSION – Collaboratively bounce innovative ideas off one another.  LISTENING AND SUPPORT – Lend an open and confidential ear for a topic of your choice.

WARNING!

The chef is NOT an expert, but does gather a wide range of ingredients and serving suggestions from other customers!  

The chef is a "partner for success."

Craving something not listed on the menu?

ORDER IT ANYWAY – The Chef is willing to collaboratively create new items as needed!