The Role of the Coach How can the coach support professional learning in our school? September 2009

Mandate Mandate is to support teachers through on-site, job-embedded professional learning that includes working with teachers in classrooms.

Coaches support professional learning that leads to sustained growth in teachers and schools. The Role of the Coach, HRSB 2008

Coach Roles… Collaborator - Coach - Consultant Learner, partner Classroom assessment and instructional supporter Facilitator of reflection, learning and group work Curriculum leadership, researcher

Models of Professional Development Individual teachers: Pre-conference, lesson, post-conference Whole school : Presentations Workshops In-services Small groups of teachers : PLCs (grade levels, subjects, goals) Study groups (e.g. book study or lesson study) Site based P.D.

Collaborate - Consult - Coach Collaborating stance: partner in problem-solving and reflection with staff Coaching stance : facilitate teacher problem-solving and reflection Consulting stance : provide knowledge, tell, show, demonstrate, model and deliver information

The Coach may support teacher learning about… Classroom assessment: help teachers learn more about the collection and analysis of classroom assessment so it can inform classroom instruction Planning instruction: collaborate with teachers to co-plan lessons and units, teach and debrief phases of instruction Common and large scale assessments: collaborate with and assist school teams to examine existing assessment data, identify trends that inform classroom practice and support teachers in implementing strategies.

Group work: PLCs, professional conversations based on the learning needs of teachers and students Reflective practice: facilitate reflective conversations Classroom set up: collaborating with teachers to create a culture that supports a wide-range of learners Resources: help teachers and schools develop a resource purchasing plan and effective ways to organize and/or display resources

Confidentiality A Coaching relationship is collegial and confidential, not supervisory. Coaches will communicate with their principals about their work. Information which can be shared includes the 4 T’s: -Teachers with whom the Coach is working. -Topics they are discussing. -Time they spend with the teacher. -Tasks they are doing.

Our learning is professional learning in the service of student learning. Professional learning is key to improving student learning. Carole Olsen’s address to Principals, Sept. 07

The next question we should ask ourselves is, “What learning do we need to do as adults to ensure that our students’ learning continues to improve?” Carole Olsen’s address to Principals, Sept. 07

“An effective teacher enhances student learning more than any other aspect of schooling that can be controlled.” Robert Marzano, Educational Researcher

The Role of the Coach How can the coach support professional learning in our school?