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, everyone! I'm co-moderating tonight with @lsmith0917. I am an elementary literacy coach in Iowa. My #eduwin is conversations today to touch base with our 2nd gr team. Joined them at recess to chat! #educoach
Hi everyone! I’m Lauren, Instructional Coach in California. My win for the week was a teacher telling me how grateful he was to have me help to facilitate the Math PLC #educoach
John L. Walker, Instructional Tech Coach for Tuscaloosa City in Alabama! Big success this week is helping co-teach some math courses and derive some fundamental ideas using Google sheets! The kids were excited to finally use @googledocs for something other than English! #educoach
Good evening! Coach for lateral entry teachers, Greensboro, NC. Had a few teachers excitedly share with me their successful use of a carousel activity in class to get students learning with movement. #educoach
Hi, everyone! I’m Lauren, instructional coach from Indiana. Looking forward to co-moderating with @IAteacherNan tonight. My #eduwin was coming together as a community of practice yesterday with my colleagues to start growing our understandings of responsive instruction! #educoach
Julie Nelson, Student Learning Coach, from IL. My #eduwin was after modeling how to use @flipgrid w staff a classroom immediately wanted to partner w me to use it for student reflection. #educoach
Hello everyone! I’m An Instructional coach from Houston. A success for me this week was leading a group of coaches across my district on engaging in effective PLCs. #educoach
Hey! Amy Storer, #educoach and tech integration mentor, in Montgomery, TX! Will be in and out tonight, but happy to learn alongside all of you! #KidsDeserveIt
In our weekly class with teachers (alt-cert) we incorporate instructional activities that teachers can turn around and use the next day to improve their instruction. We did a carousel and several teachers used the strategy today and saw higher S participation #educoach
Hi everyone. Kristi from North Iowa. I feel caught up, yet my to-do list is a mile long. That's my win for the week. I've stopped chasing my tail and can focus on the future. #educoach
Hi #educoach! I'm at the pool for my kid's swim practice, but I'll try to follow along. My #eduwin was getting invited to do model lessons in the first week of school! #numbertalks anytime!
When @ScienceTeach6 wanted a mystery Skype scientist for her 5 science sections, our ITC team brainstormed the best way to make this happen. We found a scientist, Ss provided ?s, we recorded a Skype interview that could be shown to all classes. So fun! #tlap#educoach#323learns
I currently have my first two (ever!!) coaching cycles initiated for this year. I use the @SweeneyDiane format of Student Centered Coaching. I'm still learning though...so these likely won't be as good as they could be. #educoach
A1: inviting Ts to begin the journey using a new tech tool. Normally I rope them in at a PD, offer to co-plan and co-teach, and then help them reflect/make improvements for future use. I like to have them plan on their own and then observe and again help them reflect #educoach
A1: This is a growth area for me... I've done some student centered coaching based on CFA data. I work in multiple schools and find scheduling cycles challenging. #educoach
A1: Until this year, i was spread among 6 schools k-12. I did cycles, but there were time constraints that made the process feel inorganic. This year I’m between just two schools (mostly!) #educoach
A1: my district uses the Jim Knight frame work. I have had the chance to collaboratively work through the identify, learn, and improve phases. Although its not uncommon for my cycles to fizzle out before we reach our goal. #educoach
Thanks. I'm coaching an hour in the morning and a couple hours in the afternoon at a building 30 minutes (due to construction..15 normally) away from where I teach. Keeps me on my toes! #educoach
A1 Probably the easiest way to understand the coaching cycle that grew out of our research is to watch the free videos here: https://t.co/ZWbZrFuHLi#educoach
@jimknight99 videos Jim just brought up are so helpful! Also his new book The Impact Cycle is a great resource to help you walk through a cycle #educoach
A1 - I'm beginning my coaching position, so I've attended and will continue to attend a local coaching seminar this semester. Learning & trying to put into practice paraphrasing stems in my conversations, hoping that they'll lead into a cycle. #educoach
A1: Have participated in cycles with the implementation of new curriculum, new LMS, infusing personalized learning (to name a few). Looking to refine the launch and reflection sides of the cycle and shifting it to be centered more around student data. #educoach
It's a process! We use that model, too, and it's a good way to start learning about coaching. If you have questions, just post during the week on #educoach!
A2 - My biggest responsibility is new teachers - we have a lot on my high school campus. Building relationships first, gaining their trust, and then looking for entry points. #educoach
A1: My coaching cycles are what I consider ‘coaching lite’. As long as we set a goal for student learning, improve our practice together and reflect— it is a win! Sometimes it’s formal with notes & sometimes we jump in and reflect in the hall or at recess. #educoach
I think one thing that was effective for us is to prepare a menu to provide to teachers around what we can support them with/in. Now they're better aware of how we can support them. #educoach
A2 I learned this from @stevebarkley I think it is important that some of your teachers being coached are the informal leaders in the school, so that people see even the strongest teachers trying to get better #educoach
Thanks for sharing this link! We recently did training with Lewis Central coaches in Iowa on the Impact Cycle. This will be a good way to refresh! #educoach
A2: Well, I open the year with a quick survey offering 4 options - 1️⃣let’s get started, 2️⃣let me get settled, but before Christmas, 3️⃣are you kidding? After Christmas for sure, and 4️⃣leave me alone till after spring break. They have to pick one #educoach#theirpick
A1: These videos are great models and I’ve watched them several times. Somehow it never seems to work out quite like that in my real life! But we keep trying #educoach
A1 Probably the easiest way to understand the coaching cycle that grew out of our research is to watch the free videos here: https://t.co/ZWbZrFuHLi#educoach
A2: In my district, year 3 coaching, at the end of last year, we asked people about our coaches and how they might use them next year. We then had an "in" for this year. We also made purposeful contacts with those who had not used the coaches previously. #educoach
A2: this time of year, teachers are self assessing and creating goals. I am connecting with them. Sharing my one pager. Letting them approach me once they see I’m approachable . #educoach
Q3: The coaching cycle of observing/modeling/co-teaching in classrooms & reflective follow up/support takes time. How has your school or district structured this process? #educoach
A2: So far it has come out of teachers seeing other teachers reflecting and watching video. Teachers come up to me and say “hey I’m interested in doing what they’re doing!” #educoach
A2 I learned this from @stevebarkley I think it is important that some of your teachers being coached are the informal leaders in the school, so that people see even the strongest teachers trying to get better #educoach
I have some that say they want to put it off, but I can generally get them to loosen up and go ahead and engage with me earlier. All in the hard sell and delivery! #educoach
That’s funny, yet provides voice and choice into the coaching process. Colleagues can find a time that works for them. Have you ever experienced any resistance? #educoach
A3 - I teach one class period a day. That allows me plenty of time to get into classrooms, meet teachers on their preps, have reflection/planning time of my own. Thankful that my district is supportive of this type of role. #educoach
I think one thing that was effective for us is to prepare a menu to provide to teachers around what we can support them with/in. Now they're better aware of how we can support them. #educoach
A3: we have a plan/report model where we follow an outline timeline for providing feedback and entering and exiting the cycle. Since this role is non-evaluative there are no requirements on reporting #educoach
Q3: The coaching cycle of observing/modeling/co-teaching in classrooms & reflective follow up/support takes time. How has your school or district structured this process? #educoach
#educoach sometimes its pressures like district assessments or an extended break but I'm also still learning how to keep a good balance of pushing and teacher choice.
A1: My coaching cycles are what I consider ‘coaching lite’. As long as we set a goal for student learning, improve our practice together and reflect— it is a win! Sometimes it’s formal with notes & sometimes we jump in and reflect in the hall or at recess. #educoach
A3: my district has narrowed the focus of my job to provide more opportunities for impact cycles a la @jimknight99 . That and supporting new coaches. #educoach
A3 We've been sitting down with principals and coaches having the identify exactly how they think the coach should use time. We just did it this week with @R13Coaches in Austin #educoach
A3: We have one full-time coach and me (part-time, about 40%) for roughly 50 staff members in three buildings. Many are flexible and willing to meet before and after school as needed. Can also get subs to collaborate!! #educoach
I really try to focus on asking questions and my goal is to have Ts arrive on solutions. If they are the ones with ideas there's a greater chance they will shift from engaged to empowered. #educoach
Q2: My coaching is with the willing, but I reach out to new teachers and remind them all anytime they contact me. Need another workbook? How about some instructional coaching, too? #educoach
The relationship between principal and coach is so important!!!! They really need to know roles, responsibilities, how they will communicate expectations...... #educoach
YES! I'm a fixer by nature, so limiting my talk to paraphrasing and asking questions is so hard. It's definitely a conscious effort on my part. #educoach
Absolutely agree. Still difficult (as a new coach) to act on what I know to be the right approach. I'm learning and will be better with more practice and reflection! #educoach
I wrote it after attending one of @jimknight99 ‘s institutes. I’ve shared it on #educoach before. It is a short and sweet document explaining my role, philosophy, and the basics of an impact cycle.
Oh....absolutely....staying organized! I am horrible at the organization. I know what I should do, but I haven't found a system that I truly love and that works for me well. #educoach
A3: I steal time wherever we can find it. We don't have a district coaching model, which allows for differentiation depending on teacher needs. #educoach
A3 we have started artifact reviews in our CTC (PLC) which has led to coaching opportunities. We have had teachers reach out to our coaches to seek feedback through observations, have gone and observed, implemented with observations for more feedback! #educoach
A4 - Ss are taking quarterly benchmarks this week (we started back in July) and this will really be useful in upcoming conversations - making sure to focus on academic achievement & student engagement in those conversations. #educoach
A2: teachers choose to do a cycle. I work hard on enrollment though. I market cycles at staff meetings and PLCs as well as send out a googleform at the beginning of each month to see who would like to sign up. #educoach
Well, sometimes we go in with data provided by the district, and sometimes we have to collect our own data. I generally do a needs assessment before beginning an engagement cycle to see what sources of data I need/have/need to collect to engage properly with teachers #educoach
A4: Data decisions should drive all of the moves throughout the coaching cycle! The more we use data based decisions, the easier our jobs all get (my opinion)! No second guessing, no "I think" or "I feel"... #educoach
A4. We use data to set and monitor progress toward goals. Many free data gathering tools from Focus on Teaching and The Impact Cycle can be downloaded here: https://t.co/JuPHbDj63U#educoach
A3: our district is just starting a new initiative where a district superintendent + coach visit a cluster of schools to support instructional leadership. One of our common questions we will ask principals is how coaches can support their work #educoach 1st visits tomorrow,
A2: Many of our mathematics coaches facilitate a needs-assessment/survey/interest form at the start of the school year to determine with which teachers to enroll in coaching. #EduCoach
A4: Well, sometimes we go in with data provided by the district, and sometimes we have to collect our own data.I generally do a needs assessment before beginning an engagement cycle to see what sources of data I need/have/need to collect to engage properly with teachers #educoach
Q5: Reflective dialogue between coach and teacher is an important component within the coaching cycle. What resources have helped you accomplish this? #educoach
A4: Data is the thread that runs throughout the coaching story. It sets the context, develops the theme, prompts the action, and ultimately (hopefully) heralds a happy conclusion. #educoach
That teachers are more likely to ask for help/support because they are more familiar with what we can support them with both through the how and the what. #educoach
A2 It's about establishing a culture of growth. Setting up opportunities for teachers to learn from each other, ask questions and want to grow! PLC's, artifact protocols with teams, shared ownership of goals with data. I hope we are on the right track! I LOVE my role! #educoach
I am so lucky to work for a district that has seen the potential of coaching.I am a full time coach in one elementary school. I serve about 40 teachers and am very supported by my admin. #educoach
A1: At the beginningof the year, I educate my teachers on the purpose of coaching cycles and how they are for everyone, not just struggling teachers. When I begin a coaching cycle, the teacher, principal and myself sign an agreement that our coaching is confidential. #educoach
“What evidence do you have, other than the assignment/work/product that you collected, that the students were successful in meeting their learning target today?” #educoach
In reply to
@RyanShuping, @andreakornowski, @klgast
A5: if data is thread, communication between coaching partners is pattern (warp? shuttle?) that creates fabric, substance out of what would otherwise be just a pile of fibers. #educoach
A4 This is our first official year with SLOs. We have looked at trend data for instruction not for cohorts. Where do students continuously miss the standard? How do we adjust instruction? This starts the conversations! #educoach
A6 - I've found that I HAVE to calendar in coaching opportunities ahead of time (at least by a week or so), otherwise, my time is consumed by other things. #educoach
A6: planning, communication, and planning. Learning Ts preference when engaging is helpful as well, providing assistance at the right moments can allow the door to open a little sooner in the future. Relationships first, rubrics second! #educoach
A2: I usually start with instructional rounds to gather data as a whole for my campus. I look at many data points to determine who I will coach but mostly I look at what’s happenings now the classroom and see if students are learning and not just being taught to. #educoach
I try to track all interactions on my Google Calendar. I am going to set some of my own goals around coaching associated with our 100-day school goals and plan. #educoach
A6: I teach roughly 60% and coach 40%. I have found the coaching cycles to be easy to start, but, the other portions of my coaching role are not getting done due to lack of time. For those of you who are full-time coaches, what other duties besides cycles do you do? #educoach
A6: Man! This is the struggle. In order to make coaching cycles a priority, you need to keep that focus in the forefront of your mind throughout every day. I always consider: if I say “yes”to this, what will I have to say “no” to? #educoach
A6: Our rural school division covers 29000 sq km so with all of the travelling involved for 20 schools, we do struggle to complete full and robust coaching cycles. Sometimes we just hope for the best with a visit or two #educoach
I also keep a log that do my best to keep up to date so that I can use it to determine if my activities are aligned w/ my responsibilities and goals. #educoach
Hey #Educoach chat! We still have spots open for The Impact Cycle workshop on Sept. 26-27 in ATL. We would love for you to join us! It’s ideal for anyone who develops teachers and helps them grow in their practice! https://t.co/qe2x0c3zqi… #edleaders#leadupchat
Lots of meetings, committees, conferences, and learning time. I also distribute resources and help people find their math curriculum and manipulatives. #educoach
A3: My administrators are on board with coaching and see the importance of it at my campus. They know the job and respect, therefore they do not give me “admin” duties so that I can spend time impacting instruction. #educoach
A7: it’s ok to reschedule with the teacher if it’s their idea… but never more than once. Always follow up in the timeline they suggest and hold them accountable, even if it means getting in the classroom and helping out to build the relationship on a difficult day! #educoach
A7: Make some sort of plan ahead of time with the teacher. If both you and the teacher feel invested in the process then momentum hopefully won’t be lost #educoach
Thanks for facilitating this conversation! Was a great opportunity for me to share my experiences and reflect on my practice. You two always push my thinking! #edurolearning#coetail#educoach#isedcoach
A4: I use the data with teachers to determine a baseline to set goals and continuously utilize it it to monitor progress toward achieving the goal. #educoach
A6: When all stakeholders (administrators, coaches, teachers) understand the “why” behind coaching & when all stakeholders prioritize growth/a growth mindset, then coaching will remain a priority. #EduCoach
Yes, when there is a sense of mutual collaboration and reciprocity, the more the partnership will move toward making meaningful change together. #educoach
I spend a lot of time monitoring our universal screening that takes place 3 times per year -- trouble shooting, etc. Also meeting and workshops. #educoach
In reply to
@klgast, @EDMathHysteria, @boxofcrayons
A8: Collaboration between coaches from different buildings, roughly quarterly get togethers to talk about what's working, etc. Have engaged in @jimknight99 coaching PD as a coaching team. #educoach
It depends on your situation. Role clarity and prioritization followed by time studies (to check on priorities) are key. For me, my “yes” is .2 curriculum coordination and supporting coaches. #educoach
A8: The are just a few of us, but we support each other through problem solving (and some venting). The district supports our professional learning opportunities. #educoach
A8: Just this year our administrator over the district coaches has implemented monthly coaches PLC meetings. Doing book study now on Impact Cycles, follow-up to summer training. #educoach
A8: I would love to be coached on my coaching on a more regular basis. I started a Mastermind group for Principals and other school leaders and that has been helpful in terms of my growth as a leader. I would just love more coaching-specific feedback #educoach
OK everyone. I've got to sign off and see if I can catch a plane to Oklahoma City. Thank you all for making the world a better place for kids and educators! #educoach
A8: Co planning with other coaches is essential! We have weekly video chats and a very active text message stream. We also try to seek out and connect with each other on Twitter to showcase what is possible when you engage in a coaching cycle #educoach
We try to as often as possible, such as starting a @flipgrid book study in a few weeks. We have great video conferencing suites and I try to send out screencasts to address FAQ about tech, use hangouts, etc... but nothing beats being in the same room #educoach
A9: I know that there is no standard length of time a coaching cycle takes, but how long has it taken for you all? From the inception of the goal to meeting the goal #educoach
Agreed. And be careful about what you say yes to initially. Sometimes it's okay to say yes to open a door, but be careful. My challenge is to look to empower others to own things that they can, so that I can focus on other things. #educoach
I try not to focus on just test scores, but that's a piece. If teachers can describe an improvement based on coaching... I've used the prompt:
"After coaching I..."
#educoach
One that has been pretty basic, but also super powerful, is just a coach contact form. It has the locations and specialties of each coach and then the coach’s contact info all in one place #educoach
Continue to model your actions that align to your words. Lead by example and be as transparent as possible about your role and purpose as a coach. #educoach
What a lightening fast hour! Thank you #educoach moderators & friends for a great chat. I appreciate the sharing ideas and connecting with others who are in this role. <3
A10: I value the hour spent with this group so much! I have a stack of things for coaching and a list of things for my own classroom and this hour gives me some relaxation, helps get my sanity back, and I get to learn from like minded individuals. Thank you!!!! #educoach
Relationships have to come first. Eat lunch with different grade level teams. Send notes of appreciation. Bring in snacks for team meetings. Attend team meetings. #educoach
A10: I always need this reminder to ground the work in coaching cycles. Thanks for all of the helpful tips! And thanks to the moderating team! #educoach
Agreed. And be careful about what you say yes to initially. Sometimes it's okay to say yes to open a door, but be careful. My challenge is to look to empower others to own things that they can, so that I can focus on other things. #educoach
