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.
Hi I’m Lauren, Instructional Coach in Long Beach. My success is that a teacher today found the data display that I made when observing his class so useful that he wished someone could be in his class recording data every day #educoach
I'm Lauren, IC from Indiana! Looking forward to co-moderating tonight's chat with @IAteacherNan! My #eduwin is celebrating a great collaboration with colleagues from across the district today! #educoach
My #eduwin is a lesson in my civic duty. Spent yesterday serving on a jury in our small town courthouse. I had never been called up to be interviewed for a jury before. Learned lots! #educoach
It is a test taking strategy by Larry Bell, that works well for Ss, especially economically disadvantaged Ss. Each letter represents what you do. I will see if I can find a picture. #educoach
As Ts came back to set up for the new year, we celebrated our summer learning&book club together with a #bookclubbreakfast -great discussion centered around our students, their needs, &how our own instruction can support them #d15learns#d15coaches#educoach#VLrocks
A1: My beliefs - listening to understand is job #1, #2 is understanding the relationship between present reality and goal (and steps in between), #3 positive energy is our best friend #educoach
A1: My beliefs - listening to understand is job #1, #2 is understanding the relationship between present reality and goal (and steps in between), #3 positive energy is our best friend #educoach
2a. When a school has a strong relationship among staff, the staff is happy; they are engaged in the job they are doing, and want to do their best. The students can sense when a teacher loves being there or is just there to put in their time. They are very perceptive. #educoach
a3: Many people to bounce ideas off of, a sense of trust and comfort when things get rough, someone to celebrate your victories and support you when you are challenged. Plus.... a team... a team is so important! #educoach
That is one thing I have noticed about schools that have a great collaborative culture.. There is a hum or a buzz in the air in these buildings. And it is contagious! #educoach
Yes! Trust is crucial to meaningful relationships. We have to trust in order to feel as if we are pscycholgically safe and able to be our vulnerable selves. #educoach
A2: a school culture with strong relationships has a lot of honest communication that is supportive and constructive. People feel like they can trust each other #educoach
A4: My first year as an IC, I was the “outsider”. All the Ts had their guard up bc they had to feel me out and see if I was on their side or against them. #educoach
When we are part of a PLC, we are able to be a support to all of our collaborative teams. The focus shifts toward impact for all student and adult learning. #educoach
Will you accept this rose 🌹? Our 1st early out of the year had teachers falling in love with their school year with a Bachelor themed PD!#educoach#LoveTeaching#teacherlife
Its funny... I don’t offer candy because I don’t want them to ever wonder “why doesn’t she bring me candy anymore?!” I try to only provide things I can sustain. #educoach
A6 - Deliver on my promises. Ensure that I never waste teacher time, that when our work is done, we are BOTH better for the collaboration - and most important, that students reap the benefits of our work together!!! #educoach
A6: I try to take my lunch at different times. This allows me to engage in conversations with all Ts outside of educational convos. I’m friends with all the Ts and make sure to ask them about their personal lives. #educoach
Yes! Excellent point! We have to focus on the human side of relationships. We have lives outside of education, and it’s important to get to know our colleagues outside of just professionally. #educoach
A6: We also kicked off the year with a "Language of Appreciation" Inventory and "User Manual" to learn more about how we can support one another throughout the year. #educoach
At the beginning of the year (when coaches are not as busy and are perhaps feeling guilty) is it easy to fall into the trap of over promising. Follow through builds trust and is everything. #educoach
A7: Last year one of the teams weren’t collaborating well and felt threatened by each other. I had them read an article, discuss the things they did well and where they could improve, revisited norms and changed them to fit the team, and created goals. #educoach
A7: I also believe that if you have proven that you can accept constructive criticism, Ts feel comfortable coming to you and discussing an issue with you. #educoach
A7: Read #betterconversations. Self assess. Anticipate difficult conversations, find common ground and practice responses so that we can communicate with empathy and genuine respect. #educoach
A7: One of our PLC teams had some hurt feelings and seemed unable to get past their differences. At PD sessions, I put them with a partner they did not usually pair up with on their own to discuss a question or article. #educoach
A8: I write a digital newsletter (Google doc) and try to highlight each staff member at least one time during the year. Might be a class project or student work and successes. #educoach
Transparency can be difficult, especially if trust isn’t strong or team members don’t feel as if they are able to truly be vulnerable and their authentic self. #educoach
I would love to see an example of your digital newsletter! I've been trying to figure out a way to keep administrators in the loop so they can see how much work Ts are doing, but without clogging inboxes w/ stuff they don't look at. #educoach
A9: The most rewarding part is being a part of the great work that's going on in our building and the relationships developed with students, staff, and parents. #educoach
A9: The relationships I have with my colleagues lift me up daily, fill me with purpose and inspiration, and make me feel like I have the best job on the planet. #educoach