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

Joellen.Killion@learningforward.org

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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?