The Behaviors of Coaching

A Roadmap to Teacher Reflection

Liz NortonSAM Conference 2013

Objective

To be able to effectively coach teachers or principals to reflect on their practice and make instructional changes.

Agenda

Overview of the Roadmap to Reflection

Overview of the Behaviors necessary to reach the desired destination

Observe a model of coaching

Practice coaching a partner

1. Reflect on current practice2. Pack a suitcase of ideas

3. Make a plan to reach the destination

The Coaching Conversation Roadmap

Questions

Use open-ended questions to guide the conversation

Go from broad to narrow

Stay Positive

Reflecting on Practice(What does the teacher need to recognize in their practice?)

These questions guide the teacher to recognize what occurred in their practice.

The goal is for the teacher to reflect and identify for themselves the issue you saw that needs to be changed.

Examples:

Talk to me about how you plan your lessons.

How do you ensure that students master your objective?

What do you consider as you plan for the assessment?

How did you know students mastered the objective today?

Practice

With a partner, write some questions that would help you guide the teacher to recognize the following problem:

You observed a teacher and students were off task throughout the lesson. This was most likely due to the long lecture style she was using. Students were to be taking notes, but were never provided opportunities to work with other students or practice the skill. The use of a gradual release model would have enhanced the learning and engagement. (I do, we do, you do)

Pack a Suitcase(What does the teacher need to be successful?)

Ask questions that get the teacher to identify new ways of doing things. (What can they add to their suitcase?)

Where do they do this now?

Where have they seen this before?

If the teacher cannot identify ways to change, provide a model or suggestions for what the teacher could do differently. (What can you add to their suitcase?)

Make a Plan of Action(How will the teacher work towards improving this practice?)

Ask questions that guide the teacher to determine next steps.

Examples:

What might be a way you could assess students in the future?

What might you consider as you are planning your lessons in the future?

Who might be able to help you plan for assessments this week?

What support might you need to be able to plan assessments that allow you to assess for mastery of your objectives?

Behaviors

Provide wait time

Paraphrase

Accept all answers without judgment

Model

Watch for the 3 types of questions in the conversation.

Reflecting on Practice

Packing the Suitcase

Making a Plan of Action

Watch how I use wait time and paraphrasing to clarify and guide the conversation

Practice

Ask your partner to tell you something they would like to work on.

Ask questions that get them to reflect on their practice.

Practice paraphrasing

Try to follow the coaching conversation roadmap (Reflect, Pack, Plan)

Reflection

On a post it note record:

3 things you learned about coaching

2 teachers you will use this type of coaching conversation with

1 person with whom you will share this new learning

Thank you!

Liz Norton

elizabeth.norton@knoxschools.org