Creating System-Wide Support forLearning Coacheswith Joellen Killion
Developed by ARPDC as a result of a grant from Alberta Education to support implementation
Roles of Coaches in Supporting Teachers
April 10, 2012
Joellen Killion
Senior AdvisorLearning Forward
10931 W 71st Place
Arvada, CO 80004-1337
3
Outcomes
• Understand the different ways coaches support teachers and when each is appropriate
• Reflect on how learning coaches spend their time to assess their leverage for improving teaching and student learning
Roles of CoachesTaking the Lead Government of Alberta
Mentor MentorLearning Facilitator Learning SupporterInstructional Specialist Instructional SpecialistCatalyst for Change Change AgentData Coach Assessment GuideResource Provider Resource SupplierClassroom Supporter Classroom AdvocateSchool Leader School LeaderLearner Lifelong LearnerCurriculum Specialist
ALBERTA LEARNING COACH DEFINITIONLearning coaches work to improve student achievement by providing local support to teachers to strengthen inclusive practices.
Mentor / MentorRole Purpose Responsibility
Mentor
Mentor
Build and maintain confidential relationships with teachers so that a high level of trust is created and maintained between the teacher and the learning coach.
To increase the instructional skills of the novice teacher and support school-wide induction activities
•Mentor new teachers or support the work of building based teacher mentors•Demonstrate lessons, co-teach, co-plan instruction•Assist with “new-to-teaching” and “new to-the school” issues•Assist with classroom management
Learning Supporter / Learning FacilitatorRole Purpose Responsibility
Learning Supporter
Learning Facilitator
In collaboration with staff, identifying school needs in order to implement professional learning plans which will enhance teachers’ abilities to address the diverse strengths and needs of learners
To design collaborative, job-embedded, standards-based professional learning
•Coordinate learning opportunities for teachers•Design and deliver training•Ensure that a variety of PD models are used: study groups, lesson study, examining student work, classroom visitation
Instructional Specialist / Instructional SpecialistRole Purpose Responsibility
Instructional Specialist
Instructional Specialist
Building teacher capacity to explore the use of research-based teaching strategies and innovative promising practices (e.g., differentiated instruction, positive behaviour supports, universal design for learning, response to intervention) to ensure that all students have access to meaningful and effective learning opportunities
To align instruction with the curriculum to meet the needs of ALL students
•Assist teachers in the selection and implementation of appropriate instructional strategies•Assist teachers in the implementation of differentiation strategies•Work with individuals and groups of teachers
Change Agent / Catalyst for Change
Role Purpose ResponsibilityChange Agent
Catalyst for Change
Promoting exploration and change in instructional practices (e.g., introducing innovative ideas, questioning practices, making observations, new technology).
To create disequilibrium with the current state as an impetus to explore alternatives to current practice
• Introduce alternatives or refinements
• Make observations about current practice
• Ask hard questions about current practice
• Engage teachers in Evaluation Think
Assessment Guide / Data CoachRole Purpose Responsibilities
Assessment Guide
Data Coach
Helping teachers select, understand, and use data to improve instruction
To ensure that student achievement data is used to drive decisions at the classroom and school level
• Identify school-wide and grade-level, department trends
• Supports teachers using data to improve instruction
• Facilitate data conversations that analyze student learning and identify next steps
Resource Supplier / Resource ProviderRole Purpose Responsibilities
Resource Supplier
Resource Provider
Providing information and resources upon teacher request
To expand teachers’ use of a variety of resources to improve instruction
• Assist teachers in locating information, materials, examples, of “best practice,” assessments of student learning
• Offer and recommend resource sites
• Update staff about current practices
• Find alternative teaching materials for differentiation of instruction
Classroom Advocate / Classroom Supporter
Role Purpose ResponsibilitiesClassroom Advocate
Classroom Supporter
Building teacher capacity to explore innovative instructional practices through systemic modeling, co-teaching and feedback
To increase the quality and effectiveness of classroom practice
• Model/demonstrate effective instructional strategies
• Co-plan and/or co-teach lessons
• Observe and give feedback to teachers
School Leader / School LeaderRole Purpose Responsibilities
School Leader
School Leader
Working closely with school administration to promote and support school improvement that aligns with district vision
To work collaboratively (with formal and informal leaders) to plan, implement, and assess school change initiatives to ensure alignment and focus on intended results
• Facilitate/serve on leadership teams within the school
• Assist with coordination of services of all coaches or resource personnel
• Serve as another set of eyes for principal with change initiatives
• Facilitate alignment among individual teacher goals and school goals
Lifelong Learner / LearnerRole Purpose Responsibility
Lifelong Learner
Learner
Modeling, experiencing and promoting continuous learning experiences (e.g., asking questions, researching possibilities, seeking a variety of options
To model continuous learning in order to keep current, be a thought leader in the school, and model reflecting on practice
• Model attitudes and behaviors teachers need to be successful
• Model applications of learning
• Proactively advocate for their own learning opportunities
Curriculum SpecialistRole Purpose Responsibility
Curriculum Specialist
To ensure implementation of adopted curriculum
• Deepening teachers’ content knowledge
• Aligning written, taught, and assessed curriculum
• Integrating content areas to provide additional opportunities for students to practice and apply their learning
Teacher PerceptionsBased on the role descriptions, which roles do you think teachers consider the most important? Choice one and explain your rationale.
A.MentorB.Learning SupporterC.Instructional SpecialistD.Change AgentE.Assessment Guide
F. Resource SupplierG.Classroom AdvocateH.School LeaderI. Lifelong Learner
Influencing Teaching and LearningWhich roles do you feel are most important to strengthen teaching and student learning? Share one and explain our thinking.
A.MentorB.Learning SupporterC.Instructional SpecialistD.Change AgentE.Assessment Guide
F. Resource SupplierG.Classroom AdvocateH.School LeaderI. Lifelong Learner
Coaching Heavy / Coaching Light
• Focus on results for students and changing practice
• Willing to challenge assumptions and practice
• Focus on teacher well-being
• Believes relationships are more important than results
Time AllocationRank order the roles in terms of how learning coaches spend their time.
A.MentorB.Learning SupporterC.Instructional SpecialistD.Change AgentE.Assessment Guide
F. Resource SupplierG.Classroom AdvocateH.School LeaderI. Lifelong Learner
Factors that Influence Roles
1. What factors influence the roles of coaches?
2. Who should select/determine the role(s) of coaches?
3. What advice do you have about how many roles a coach fills?
Factors that Influence Roles
What is research saying about the roles of coaches?
Take Aways
• What are you taking away from our session today?
• What is next step for you related to roles of coaches?