1. Instructional Coaching Coaching for teachers of English Language Learners in a Low/Medium incidence district Lisa Kowaleski, Ph.D. Instructional Coach/Coordinator for ELL Wachusett Regional School District Jefferson, MA Coaching for teachers of English Language Learners in a Low/Medium incidence district Lisa Kowaleski, Ph.D. Instructional Coach/Coordinator for ELL Wachusett Regional School District Jefferson, MA

2. Overview Duties and expectations for an ELL instructional coach Criteria for selecting a coach Strategies for bridging the gap between the coach and teachers; relationship building techniques Monthly coaching topics Getting instructional materials into the classroom and getting teachers to use them The value of technology with ELL students and their teachers

3. Demographics Wachusett Regional School District (5 towns; Holden, Rutland, Paxton, Princeton, Sterling) 72 ELL students 40 FLEP students SEI model

4. 14% of WRSD teachers work with ELL students (not including specials) 27% of WRSD teachers work with ELL and FLEP students (not including specials) 5 tutors provide direction instruction to students at Proficiency level 3 or lower

5. MASSexcELLs grant A multimillion dollar grant funded by the National Professional Development Program to effect wide-scale change in teacher leadership for ELL instruction across Central and Eastern Massachusetts 25 Teachers in each cohort group enrolled in a Master’s in TESOL at Framingham State University (5 years) leading to licensure Wachusett Regional School District, Marlboro School District, and Cambridge School District Hire an instructional coach for ELL in each participating district

6. Duties and expectations for an instructional coach

7. ELL coaching What does it look like in a district with less than 100 students? Choose the right answer. a. coach spends one on one time with students b. coach attends curriculum meetings, SPED evaluations, parent conferences coach provides professional development coach is readily available to meet with teachers any time, any where coach models/teaches in a class with ELL students coach serves as liaison for DESE on issues regarding ELL coach has an endless supply of chocolate, snacks, and incentives all of the above and....

8. Coach spends one on one time with students Unlike literacy coaching, due to the specialized nature of ELL, without one on one time spent with students, it is difficult to tailor teacher support Coach has to have a good understanding of students strengths and weaknesses

9. Coach attends curriculum meetings, SPED evaluations, parent conferences, etc. Coach is the expert link to ELL information for principals, asst. principals, teachers, Superintendent, etc. Coach represents ELL concerns during SPED meetings Coach represents ELL concerns during parent conferences and provides insight as to best approach parent with concerns

10. Coach models/teaches Specific lessons, instructional techniques and strategies Often the most challenging “Three little pigs”

11. Coach serves as liaison and resident expert for all things ELL A challenge with some organizational and administrative structures

12. How to get started Make at least a 3 year commitment; 5 is better Define what you need, want, and can do Define to the extent possible how you will do it Create a job description Advertise

13. Criteria for Selecting a Coach

14. what do you want the coach to do: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually what type of person can accomplish this

15. INSTRUCTIONAL COACH FOR ELL AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT The Instructional Coach shall possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, although a Master’s degree is preferred. The Instructional Coach shall hold a valid Massachusetts teaching certificate with endorsement in English as a Second Language. The Instructional Coach shall have at least three years of prior teaching experience. The Instructional Coach shall work one hundred ninety (190) days and shall provide support to the District schools in differentiating instruction, particularly for students with limited English proficiency; the Instructional Coach shall: Collaborate in the crafting of district-wide plans in support of English Language Learners (ELL); Coordinate district-wide ELL support mechanisms with the assistance of the Director of Curriculum and Curriculum Supervisor: Provide building-based and district-wide professional development through coaching, classroom modeling, observation, discussion, and presentation; Administer assessments and collaborate with teachers to analyze assessment data; Model ways in which to use data to inform instruction for individual students; Develop, administer, model, observe, and monitor interventions; Monitor progress of ELL students in response to instructional approaches and interventions; and Perform any other related task or duty at the direction of the Superintendent or designee, Director of Curriculum, or Curriculum Supervisor.

16. Criteria for selecting a coach Independent Administrative experience, or leadership experience, accomplished teacher Organized Flexible Diplomatic, articulate, non-confrontational Known entity

17. Strategies for bridging the gap between the coach and teachers; relationship building techniques

18. Year 1 Introduce the coach Start slowly Evaluations? Instructional Plans? Drips (faculty meetings, morning/lunchtime meetings) Workshops

19. Hooks and relationship building How can I help? Follow up every visit, conversation Web pages- videos http://www.wrsdcurriculum.nethttp://www.wrsdcurriculum.net/

22. Monthly coaching topics Coaching: what it means and how it can help Interpreting instructional plans WIDA and English Language Development Standards Can-do descriptors WIDA Access Test Sheltered English Instruction SIOP Re-screening and Evaluations: the role of the classroom teacher Differentiating between Language issues and Learning issues: ELL vs. SpEd and ELLs who are Special Education

23. Getting instructional materials into the classroom and getting teachers to use them

24. Needs and the audience What does the teacher/team need? Know your audience and tailor it When can I come and help you with this…. What about right now….sure! Follow up with a visit….gives insight; then tailor or right then and there Even an audience of one is at least an audience

25. The value of technology with ELL students and their teachers Ipads® Computers with clear and functioning sound Computers with internet capabilities/connectivity Books on tape/CD PBS®, Discovery channel, History channel, NatGeo channel

26. Brainstorming How could coaching benefit your district? What would coaching look like to provide the most beneficial and far reaching results? What obstacles would you face? How could you overcome the obstacles?

27. Questions?

28. Lisa Kowaleski, Ph.D. Instructional Coach for ELL/Coordinator Lisa_Kowaleski@wrsd.net Wachusett Regional School District 1745 Main Street Jefferson, MA 01522 508-829-1670 x247