The #educoach hashtag is used by instructional coaches around the world. We chat each Wednesday at 8pm CST on Twitter and use the hashtag throughout the week to share resources, ask questions and collaborate with instructional coaches.
I'm Sonya, an IC from Texas. It's been a long time since I've joined! My #eduwin this week was completing a Diane Sweeney book study with the team! #educoach
Hi, I'm Tarah from Lee's Summit, MO. This is my first chat...and I am just toe dipping into the literacy coach role at the elementary level. My win today was I went into a classroom today and helped with test prep.
#educoach
Good evening! I serve as a Title I Math Academic Specialist in SC. Currently on spring break, but had a productive unit planning session at the end of last week using student data to determine pacing and instruction. #educoach
Brianne from Houston. I’ve had some really positive student interactions this week. Sometimes I have to force opportunities to be with Ss so I don’t lose touch with why we really do what we do. It’s too easy to get stuck in the office or meetings. #EduCoach
I'm Liz, ELA Instructional Coach in Lemont, IL. Success story...we are just starting to implement Lucy Calkins writing and it's going well so far! #educoach
A1: My district just recently went 1:1 with student computers, and my current, biggest obstacle is trying to help Ts successfully navigate how to best incorporate all these new digital subscriptions and technology into their daily teaching. #educoach
A1 - A common obstacle in coaching for me is competing with time factors. Time w/ Ts to preplan, time to plan, time to debrief, all while acknowledging that these Ts teach more than reading! #educoach
A1: Too little time and too little role clarity coupled with being spread among 6 schools spreads me too thin to do as much deep coaching as I would like. #educoach
Q1 A common obstacle I encounter is the notion that coaching is only for “struggling teachers.” Some of the greatest strides are made when teachers of all levels have successful coaching experiences and see the power of reflective and continuous growth. #educoach
A1: Overcoming the misconception that only underperforming teachers collaborate with coaches is a common obstacle I’ve encountered. Demystifying this idea is always first on the chopping block in the initial conversation. #educoach
Hi everybody, I'm Mike and I'm excited for my Sophs to finish reading Cloud Atlas by @david_mitchell and drafting their short stories in response! #educoach#edchat#IllinoisCIC
A2: In the past I have had to work on re-branding. I often inform teachers that I am looking to collaborate with teacher leaders who can spread practices among their colleagues. You could try that. #educoach
A1: as an evaluator, it's always a struggle to balance giving feedback thru a coach approach vs providing explicit, direct next steps to adjust instruction. #educoach
Wow, 6 schools. I hear you on role clarity. Seems like every school in our district is doing different things in the area of coaching, based on the school needs. Do you see students as well? Or are you strictly a coach?
#educoach
A3: Fear is most often what holds us back - both the teacher and the coach. Our work is emotional and can often be bound in fear. Fear can keep us from moving. #educoach
A2: We’ve been working hard to clarify roles. Defining “coaching” as facilitating cycles vs. “facilitating” workshops and PLCs, etc. Now we’re collecting data on what teachers want and need and working to create assignments that allow some impact. #educoach
A2: student-centered coaching lends itself more toward a co-teaching lens and partnership, helping to remove the "struggling" label misconception #educoach
A3: When you are having a discussion about someone's teaching, it can be very personal & therefore very scary for ppl. It is important to focus on how improvement will be supported. #educoach
A1: a struggle I had in the beginning was recognizing the goals of the teachers I was working with being different from my own goals as a teacher. I have to take a step back and meet them where they are and meet their needs just as I would with my students. #EduCoach
A3 Fear is common. Fear of failing, fear of the unknown, etc... I see it many times - and have been there myself. Having a group like #educoach has pushed me past my fears & I've helped others.
I’ve oftentimes noticed that teachers begin trying to fit “square pegs into round holes” when personalized learning initiatives drop. What strategies do you utilize to help teachers understand that best practice comes first, then technology to enhance the lesson? #educoach
A3: fear for who? The coach or the receiver? Maybe both? Fear of failure? Fear of vulnerability? Fear of giving the wrong coaching? Fear of a missed opportunity? Fear of perception?
Yeah, I can see how there's an obstacle there... #educoach
A3: I always focus on my own fears... which I really see as a lack of trust that I need to shrug off. Fear that I’m not making a difference. We all want to be useful, significant. Coaches, teachers and students. #educoach
Yes - let students show teachers what's on their mind; what's affecting them in their "real life" outside of school? Have they ever considered why those issues occur, and how they might be solved? #educoach#askingwhy#IllinoisCIC
A3 Fear of evaluation instead of coaching is often a circumstance I encounter. My specific role is to cultivate growth and reflection in teachers related to student performance. #educoach
I’ve been using a 6 week residency model (two buildings at a time). This allows for cycles, but sometimes it’s time to move on and things feel unresolved. #educoach
Hi everyone! My name is Jason and I'm an instructional coach from Garland ISD in Garland, TX. After many months of building relationships, I've finally had several new teachers reach out for coaching! #educoach
A4 Being transparent, authentic, and patient. Relationship building takes time. Fear can dissipate when relationships are built on a strong foundation. #educoach
A3 One of the reasons I love virtually coaching coaches is helping them over the fear hurdle. Break goals into smaller chunks. The accountability factor keeps the momentum. #educoach I love seeing clients shine!
A2: My time issue comes from wanting to be with teachers and students more than I am able and finding the balance of the other tasks I have along with being in classrooms. When I make a schedule and then rearrange it, classroom observations are always the first to go. #EduCoach
Fear originates from the unknown, and most teachers are fearful/skeptical because they may not know what to expect in/from coaching. Clarifying the intended outcomes of the work certainly helps to combat this fear. #educoach
A4: relatable, open, honest, reflective. If the coach is willing to be vulnerable and admit some of those fears, Ts will follow suit. When coaches are seen as partners, fear can subside. We cannot attribute our value and worth with fear of shortcomings and failure! #educoach
A3: fear as a coach that feedback will be received in the wrong way or hurting a relationship, fear from teachers willing to try new things or take a risk in the classroom because they fear their students won’t be successful #EduCoach
A4: Being transparent and open with teachers. Also, meeting each teacher where they're at in their own personal journey, rather than coming with my own agenda. #educoach
A4 Digging in and doing the work. When coaches begin in the role they have so many unknowns. Coaching cycles are new to them. Find a trusted teacher and start to practice the moves! The more we put something off the harder it gets. #educoach
Great point! You’re spot on and it takes a lot of work to train your mind to take the way you would do it out of the equation. Thanks for the reminder! #educoach
A4: Teachers trust coaches when there is reciprocity. We learn together, are equals, help teachers reach their own goals for students. We sit on the same side of the table, care and connect. #educoach
Sometimes I'll take an "experimental" stance. "this is what the research or practice suggests -- let's try together and see how your students respond." #educoach
In reply to
@franguinnrogers, @LFKerz, @SweeneyDiane
A2: From my experience, building a trusting relationship with Ts is the best first step to getting them into the coaching cycle with you. Some take more time but once that trust is established you will be able to accomplish more #educoach
I couldn’t agree more- formative assessment with teachers is just as important as it is with students in the classroom! In my specific role, teachers are concerned with evaluation from coaching, which is not an expectation of my role. #educoach
A4: Teachers trust coaches when there is reciprocity. We learn together, are equals, help teachers reach their own goals for students. We sit on the same side of the table, care and connect. #educoach
A4: I think of my teachers as I did my students. Building relationships is key. They have to learn to trust you and know you care before they can be vulnerable to let you into their classroom. You have to establish your credibility and then follow up with support. #EduCoach
A5: I find the reciprocity principle is important here. Sometime I will informally ask for coaching from my colleagues! This does wonders for building confidence for both of us! #educoach
A5: I've had success when I ask those Ts to present on a topic (with support) or share resources on an instructional strategy. Build them up. Over and over. And then again. #educoach
A5: lots of positive genuine reinforcement! There is always something good to comment on, focusing on strengths your Ts have and building those before trying to grow a weakness. Always falling back to the positives in moments of doubt! #EduCoach
This is really helpful. My first step is to build relationships with the teachers and build that trust. I have many fears of the unknown but I will just start here first. #educoach
Right on! Don't let fear close your classroom door! We're trying to get a variation of Pineapple PD going... Will know more after next week... But I'm hoping we'll get Ts on board & then some "first followers" from there 😀#pineapple#teacherpowered#educoach#IllinoisCIC
A5: I think it can be simple enough as being straightforward and trustworthy. Clear that my role is to work as a partner. Clear in my respect for a teacher’s work. Explicit about my own growth. I seek coaching so that I know what it is to be coached. Empathy. #educoach
A5 Coaching out of your comfort area can help build a Ts confidence. Let the T be the content expert. Your reflective questions can build them up. #educoach
A5 Helping plan the lesson and co-facilitating the execution of the lesson. During the lesson, focusing on what the students are doing as a result of our plan allows us to make adjustments that would yield the desired student response. #educoach
A5 Coaching out of your comfort area can help build a Ts confidence. Let the T be the content expert. Your reflective questions can build them up. #educoach
A3: Fear is an obstacle when a teacher does not feel comfortable to take risks and fail. That is why building trusting relationships and providing support throughout the coaching cycle are necessary #educoach
A4: Taking the time to clearly describe the process and learning intentions is a must first step to assuage fear. Promoting a team approach and “togetherness” are helpful too. Remaining true to your word, following through, and consistent organization also deter fear. #educoach
A5: I prefer a strengths-based approach to coaching. Capitalizing on quick wins allows teachers to see the fruits of their labor and encourages them to further invest in the process. #educoach
A6 Celebrating the small victories and setting goals as we continue our work. I truly love working with teachers. Just like we want our students to make small shifts over time for great gains, we want to inspire the same for our teachers. #educoach
A6: I remember wanting my lessons to be perfect, but when I focused on student products it didn’t matter if it wasn’t perfect. If my students still met the objective for the day and mastered what I set out for them, then it was okay. So reminding teachers of that! #EduCoach
A key is how you get it started. I encourage you to have teachers help you plan. I've also seen it work well when Ts are learning something new together and WANT to see it done. #educoach
In reply to
@ReadingJanusz, @MrMelieTeach, @MeganPreis
Love this, @KathyPerret! These are such great relationship-building tools, as you learn so much about one another through co-planning and co-teaching. Shows that you’re invested in winning together. #educoach
Wait a minute - you're talking too much sense here. Or wait another minute - I think the factory system we've had since the Industrial Revolution is really progressive. We just don't know it yet :) #sarcasm#anotherbrickinthewall#factory#educoach#edchat#IllinoisCIC
A6: I haven’t had perfectionism get in anyone’s way but my own... More often teachers get discouraged when the goal we’re working towards feels like too big of a bite. We explore ways to shave off bits/ morph it without losing what feels essential to them. #educoach
I think it has to be demonstrated. It is a shift that must be made from quick fixes to sustainability. I have many circumstances where we’ve broken those barriers; however, it is an initial obstacle I encounter frequently. #educoach
A6: part 2: I think it’s part of the job. We strive to be excellent in everything we do because we know it positively impacts student learning. That doesn’t mean you have to beat yourself up about it. But I never want to lower my expectations for myself. #EduCoach
A6: I’ve found that sharing personal stories about failing forward allows teachers an opportunity to understand that growth is the goal. I’m straightforward in explaining that I would rather a teacher take risks vs being a perfectionist. #educoach
A7 Social media is a great tool for singletons. Twitter, FlipGrid, Virtual meeting platforms, voxer, etc... Coaches can help singleton Ts connect with others across districts/states/world. #educoach
A7: I think this is a great way to incorporate technology. I meet with isolated teachers regularly over Google hangouts. It’s daunting at first, but we try it out between rooms in the same building first to iron out issues. #educoach
A7 Look for transferable practices that may serve as a focus for the overall school. I think it’s important to invest relationship building with “singletons” as well. Knowing these individuals as educators can allow you to tailor your coaching. #educoach
Talk about real-life application! Whatever happened to the wisdom of the elders, btw? Why aren't we asking more questions of those experts who've come before us, and then sharing the answers? #wisdom#geezers#rockingchair#educoach#edchat#IllinoisCIC
A7: Validating the work of the “singleton” is first on the list. Connecting singleton teachers with other teachers of like-content across schools supports the #PLN coaching approach. Teachers have an innate need to feel connected. #educoach
A8: I find a digital coaching menu is a great way for teachers to contact me privately if the school culture has not fully embraced coaching! https://t.co/7nahWpER1s#educoach
A8: I think an essential first step in a toxic situation is to facilitate dialogue around goals. Find common ground. Heal. Build trust. Environment comes first. Let every stakeholder own it. I love restorative practices for this. #educoach
A8: Don't force it on people that are not willing. Start with those that are want to be involved and let their stories spark the interest of others #educoach
Focus on having a growth mindset. While fixed mindsets can sometimes chase unobtainable perfectionism, growth mindsets have an ethic of excellence allowing for the continual development of skills & abilities allowing for mistakes/risk-taking. #educoach
