#UrbanEdChat Archive
#UrbanEd chat is a twitter chat for educators. Topics relevant to the subject of urban education will be discussed, but all educators are encouraged to join the conversation. The chats will be moderated by Ben and Neil, founders of Engaging Educators and elementary school teachers in Detroit, MI.
Thursday April 14, 2016
Introduce yourself to the chat group! Name, state, position, and follow somebody new to grow your PLN!
Hello! I'm Fran from ! I'm based out of GA and I'm an Instructional Coach!
Bradford TX Instructional Technology Specialist
Q1. When you think of ICs what's the first word that comes to mind?
Michelle 5th grade math teacher!
Good Evening Everyone!
Chris, Dir of Work Experience Program and Transitions, MO
Just made it in time. Monica, Special Education teacher, Texas.
Instructional coach = love
Q1. When you think of ICs what's the first word that comes to mind?
Tonight we will use a Q and A format. Q1 A1 Q2 A2 etc
yes! the love of instruction and teachers!
a1: Needed, but are they being used completely for their purpose!
Christian from ATL! Dropping by!
yes.. we're going to get into that! IC are not admins!
Angelica, current student at Fresno State in Ca. Working on credentials to become hs math teacher
**waving** we're in GA also!
A1: IC=> pure brains 😎
yes! it takes a lot of knowledge to support teachers in schools.
such an important role of an IC!
Q2. In urban schools, what's the most important task an IC should have?
motivators in the sense of keeping teachers and students upbeat?
Q1 A1. I think of a person that helps teachers plan for lessons, introduces new ideas, and helps with reflection.
a2: Coach! Model, show, observe, and provide feedback! Don’t get too high and mighty when u become! U are still a T!
A2: Focus on individualizing instruction for the parties involved.
A1: Should be "support" but sometimes it's not. Coach does not mean Boss. Coach means Teammate.
still being able to teach is such an important skill for coaches to have! You are not BETTER than Ts!
that's the core of an IC's job. That should be ALL of their job!
A2: Help teachers get to really know their students. Who they are as people so they can best teach them.
teammate in learning and growth! I help and assist! I don't evaluate and I should never cross that line!
A1: Someone to guide you and assist in areas you may need help in. They're in it for the kids just as we are
yes and truly empowering the classroom teachers. Letting them be creative.
very important. Individualize your support.. But what does that mean?
A1: That was a little more than asked. Lol
yes.. help teachers create resources to get to know their teachers!
we can't lose creativity!
If the teacher have no knowledge base on a specific subject matter, then the IC would focus on the basics.
Everyone is different in their regards, just like the students.
I've done that. Worked with that teacher day to day. Modeling lessons and instruction!
that's what makes teaching so cool!
I do it with disaggregated data and technology tools.
yes.. as an ELA Instructional Coach I did that, but a lot of my work was helping diversify texts
exactly and some feel they are above that esp when u are still training and modeling!
that's what separates the experts from everyone else. As a coach you must model. No way around it!
Are IC's other faculty members?
A2: Support Ts and not manage them
explain? They're still teachers but they just support quality instruction!
Q3. What do IC need from their teachers to be effective?
they go in and model great instruction..
A3: They need them to be cooperative
A3: Feedback! Feedback! What works? What does not?
You just said a mouth full!
A3: If teachers are honest in their needs then coaches can truly promote growth.
honesty is key! We have to know what we need.
sometimes teachers are scared of honesty. Scared it'll be used against you.
I am sorry to cut out! I have some important work that deals with coaching and feedback that I must attend to!
A3 feedback support modeling Co teaching
yes feedback to make sure they're effective in their work..
modeling is such an important trait!
A3: Feedback can be controversial!
it's supposed to be.. Truth is needed but it should be massaged with LOVE..
A3: How do you deal with the sensitvie TS
constructive feedback make TS feel safe. Empowering them collaborate & share ideas together
Some have cried but b/c I had relationships with them they accepted the FB..even if it was a week later.
Q4. How can administrators better support their coaches in their roles?
You can't be malicious. Be factual and understanding. Always ask how you can help.
empowering teachers is key! Teachers are the experts!
I think it all starts with setting your norms at the beginning and set your expectations with follow through
Q3: I agree that building a solid working relationship helps soften constructive feedback blows
setting norms and being consistent!
Stepping out now of . Attending to some projects. Thanks for hosting, + !
it was good to virtually meet you!
How can you trust someone who doesn't follow through?
it shows inconsistency..that's not professional..
I find that in many urban schools that this sometimes the norm
it's the norm due to administrators not being instructionally sound and holding adults and kids accountable!
Q2:an instructional coach's priority should be Ts delivering effective instruction to students.Whatever it takes.
that's right. Anything it takes.
Instructional coaches cannot not manage 2 roles. If they support Ts then the school should still run
Q4: admin can create job descriptions that lend themselves to Cs strengths. as opposed to throwing them in.
that's right.. You can't be the pseudo Assistant Principal. It doesn't work.
A4: admin need to make sure coaches are reliable in sharing the tools needed for a functional class
yes and being explicit about their expectations!
the only way they can do that is to be in the classrooms themselves!
Do instructional coaches have the right to speak up for themselves even if they are drowning with trying to take on dual roles
Q5. What's the WORST thing a Coach can do to lose the trust of their teachers?
If they don't speak up they will be literally thrown under the bus!
yes & just to clarify created this great and important question
yes. however, its a CHOICE. some are happy being in the office even if its a detriment to their profession.
that's an issue bigger than a coach. that goes to the hiring practices!
A5: The Worst that they can do is NOT do their jobs!!
yes, I agree. a C should have a sense of what they WANT to do. this makes speaking up easier.
A5: having a lack of professionalism https://t.co/WHwGj46KZ8
Q5. What's the WORST thing a Coach can do to lose the trust of their teachers?
A5: Underdeliver and overpromise.
I agree that it can be...honest communication is so critical on both ends to ensure a good match.
A5: I find it hard as a veteran T to get the support I need at work.
yes! be realistic and authentic!
Q6. Going into the next school year, how can we use coaches to help improve teacher practice?
the coach should ask you to help with PD.. pair you with a beginning teacher!
they shouldn't be intimidated. they should feel relieve there's a veteran in the building.
We have to think outside the BOX.
A6: Continue to encourage Ts. Work hard to support them. Don't get sidetracked by the negative Nancy/Nate. Follow-thru always
Let's just say that's not the warm fuzzy feeling that I get!! LOL.
that ultimately hurts the kids. Don't be afraid of vets. Help empower them.
so true. Negativity can weigh you down.
https://t.co/q3IPErFNNS
by asking teachers what areas they want support in. No blind coaching. Preconferences and post conferences every time.
A6:if a T is a VT, allow him/her to push their own bounds. a C who isn't a VT may not have "advice" but they can help them push
A5: Remember that my classroom is not yours and to respect the instructional strategies that I use and LISTEN!!!
so true. You're not their to "fix"..you're there to support.
It's been a BLAST hosting ! I love discussing instructional coaching!
I wish admins would understand that good Ts don't always make good instructional coaches.
