So what exactly is an Instructional Coach?

I wasn't really looking for a new job, until I ran across the following listing last spring. 

"The Secondary Instructional Coach will work as a colleague with classroom teachers to support student learning in all content areas.  The Instructional Coach will focus on individual and group professional development that will expand and refine the understanding of research-based effective instruction.  In order to fulfill these expectations, the Instructional Coach will provide personalized support that is based on the goals and identified needs of individual teachers and in support of the School Improvement Plans"  (ECASD Job description, Instructional Coach-Secondary).

After careful consideration, several items started to jump out at me...

• a colleague with classroom teachers
• individual and group professional development
• research-based effective instruction
• personalized support
• based on the goals and identified needs of individual teachers

What a wonderful resource for Memorial!  How great would it be to have someone to partner with teachers and help them meet their individual goals?  Researching best practices in education is time consuming.  An instructional coach's job includes seeking out those strategies that are proven to have the greatest impact on student achievement and share ideas on how to implement them.  Teachers simply don't have time for that type of research and development anymore.  PI-34 has reduced the need for advanced coursework, funding for professional conferences and workshops has dried up, and teaching has become so exhausting that it is hard to sit down at night with a professional journal or textbook.  

I eagerly applied for the Instructional Coach job, knowing that the best part was that I didn't have to leave my colleagues at Memorial.  I am pleased to be starting this new position, and am looking forward to ways in which I can assist you.  While much of my attention is focused on continued implementation of the Educator Effectiveness program,  there are many other resources and opportunities I can offer.  Watch for upcoming information on the variety of ways we can partner to improve student learning.  In the meantime, consider this overview.

Instructional Coaching is...

• positive and supportive
• based on individual goals and needs
• confidential and based on trust

Instructional Coaching is NOT...

• critical or competitive
• evaluative
• shared.  No record of our conversation is kept nor reported to anyone outside of the coaching relationship.