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Instructional Coaches and the Instructional Leadership Team
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Instructional Coaches and the Instructional Leadership Team
A Guide for School-Building Improvement



August 2012 | 160 pages | Corwin

Supercharge school improvement with instructional coaches!

For instructional coaches, no two days are ever the same. This unique companion melds theory and practice to show how coaches can seamlessly integrate themselves into the fabric of the school and help teachers improve their practice from day one. Dean Spaulding and Gail Smith address common challenges of coaches and instructional leadership teams, including:

  • Observing classrooms and providing formative feedback
  • Reaching out to the hesitant or resistant teacher
  • Adapting data and analysis into usable information for the team
  • Recruiting, training, and supporting new instructional coaches

Journal entries based on the real-life experiences give an inside look at the day-to-day work of an instructional coach and the power of coaching to improve teacher effectiveness. The book also includes field-tested activities, materials, and forms for collecting data, navigating busy days, and organizing information.

Instructional Coaches and the Instructional Leadership Team is ideal for those wanting to learn best practices to engage educators and support teacher evaluation reform.


"This book would have made my life SO much easier. I highly recommend it to new and experienced instructional coaches alike!"
—Kathy Ferrell, Instructional Coach
Excelsior Springs Middle School, MO

"This is a wonderful resource. Even schools without instructional coaches will benefit from the strategies and suggestions included. It's an excellent book even for those who shy away from data analysis!"
—Ann Dargon, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Westport Community Schools, MA


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
1. I'm So Glad You're Here! The First Day as an Instructional Coach
What Is an Instructional Coach (IC)?

 
The Instructional Coach - The Early Explorer

 
Step One: Establish an Instructional Leadership Team (ILT)

 
Step Two: Establish a Job Description for the IC

 
Step Three: Establish the Role and Responsibilities for the IC

 
Step Four: Develop an Action Plan for the IC

 
Summary

 
 
2. The Instructional Coach and the Instructional Leadership Team: A Unique Approach
The Priorities of a School Leader

 
Priority Two and Strong Instructional Leadership (SIL)

 
The Instructional Leadership Team (ILT)

 
An Equal and Shared Voice

 
Basic Steps for the ILT

 
Summary

 
 
3. Refocus and Start Again! The Instructional Leadership Team Supporting the Instructional Coach
How the IC Carries Out the ILT's Plan

 
Selection and Implementation of a New Curriculum

 
IC Providing Professional Development (PD) and Technical Assistance

 
Feedback for the ILT

 
Professional Development for the IC

 
Using Data to Support the ILT and IC

 
The "Why Is That?" Analysis Technique

 
Ways the Principal Can Support the IC

 
How to Work With the Principal

 
Dos and Don'ts for the Principal/IC Meeting

 
Summary

 
 
4. The Day-to-Day Work of the Instructional Coach
Getting Started

 
Basic Ways to Work With Teachers

 
Working With Teachers in Their Classrooms

 
Summary

 
 
5. An Idea for the Day: Strategies and Ideas to Encourage Engagement Between Teachers and the ILT
Summary

 
 
6. Assessing Individual and Group Strengths: Strategies for Working With the Resistant Teacher
Who Is the Resistant Teacher?

 
The IC and Private Investigator

 
Search and Rescue: Thirteen Strategies for Mining for Gold

 
Summary

 
 
7. Changing Teacher Practices Through Classroom Field-Testing - The ILT's Role
Classroom Field-Testing: A Possible Open Door?

 
Professional Development Activity

 
How The Instructional Leadership Team Can Support Action Research

 
Presenting Classroom Field-Testing Projects

 
Summary

 
 
8. The ILT's Role in Changing Teacher Practices Buildingwide
Professional Development and Changing Teacher Practices

 
The Role of the IC in Changing Teacher Practices: A Buildingwide Effort

 
Steps in Establishing a Large-Scale Evidence-Based Framework

 
The Power of Evidence-Based Classroom Studies

 
Summary

 
 
9. A New Coach in Town! The ILT's Role in Training New Instructional Coaches
What Has Happened Here?

 
What Should Everyone Do?

 
The Game Plan: Get Started Right Away!

 
Player/Coach: Mentor Coaching 101

 
What's in It for Me? Benefits of the New Mentor Coach Role

 
Advice From The Field: Tips From Current Instructional Coaches

 
Everyone Wins: Coaching the Coach Sharpens Everyone's Game

 
 
10. Toolbox for the Instructional Coach: Examples of Surveys, Protocols, and Tools
Parent Survey

 
Teacher Survey

 
Workshop Training Teacher Survey

 
Professional Development Planning Sheet

 
IC Planning Sheet #1

 
IC Planning Sheet #2

 
IC Planning Sheet #3

 
IC Planning Sheet #4

 
IC Planning Sheet #5

 
IC Planning Sheet #6

 
Needs Assessment Survey

 
Promising Practices Building Survey

 
 
References
 
Index

This book would have made my life SO much easier the last four years that I have spent as an Instructional Coach. I would highly recommend it to new or experienced instructional coaches alike!

Kathy Ferrell, Instructional Coach
Excelsior Springs Middle School, Excelsior Springs, MO

Instructional Coaches and the Instructional Leadership Team provides a plethora of information to help the first year coach to develop his or her skill set.

Tanna H. Nicely, Assistant Principal
Dogwood Elementary, Knoxville, TN

This is a wonderful resource. Even schools without Instructional Coaches will benefit from the strategies and suggestions included in this book. It’s an excellent book even for those who shy away from data analysis!

Ann Dargon, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Westport Community Schools, Westport, MA

This book provides the essential guide for campuses implementing the instructional coaching model to maintain the focus and integrity of their program.

Cathy Patterson, Teacher
Walnut Valley Unified School District, Walnut, CA
Key features

This book contains numerous pedagogical devices, a toolbox, to help readers understand the scale and responsibilities of the instructional coach position. These materials were developed and field tested with instructional coaches (ICs). Included are:

  • Surveys for ICs to use to gather feedback from teachers and staff in order to plan needed professional development
  • Classroom observational protocols to help guide ICs during classroom observations
  • Data collection instruments to use when working with teachers to collect data for action research projects to improve practice
  • Templates and graphic organizers for ICs to plan busy days and weeks, and to organize information from various stakeholders
  • Templates for helping ICs conduct reviews of literature and research on effective, scientifically based instructional practices
  • Numerous cases based on extensive research
  • Self-study and group activities

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781452284248

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ISBN: 9781452226385
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This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.