We’re often asked, “So, what do you do in a typical day?” There is no such thing as a “typical day” in the world of an instructional coach. From PLCs to modeling in the classroom to planning professional development, an instructional coach’s day is filled with an array of activities. The role of an instructional coach might best be explained through athletics and art.
Reminiscing back to our younger and possibly more playful days might offer some insight to coaching. If you’ve ever been part of an athletic team, you may have seen some good attributes of a coach. A successful coach begins with developing trusting relationships with his or her players by listening and observing. When the players trust the coach, they accept and even crave feedback that leads players to improve his or her skills. A good coach doesn’t over-coach, but steps in at the right time. Patience and encouragement get athletes through the rough times. Great coaches never get in the game and do it for the players, but instead nudge them along toward improvement.
Coaching is as much of an art as it is a science. There are many successful artists that create works to please our senses in different ways. Each artist is unique in how they go about creating a product or experience. Instructional coaches are also creative in using their craft to create products and experiences. No two coaches are the same in their approach to creating an environment for growth. Like an artist using different tools and mediums, coaches use multiple tools and mediums to shape their work. Some words to describe the art of coaching are: creative, unique, flexible, passionate, dynamic, and multi-modal.
Taking on the role of an instructional coach is much the same as an athletic coach or an artist. Every day is different and unique. Instructional coaches begin by building trust and relationships with teachers so that they can provide feedback in a safe and non-evaluative manner that promotes professional growth. The partnership between the instructional coach and teacher is to ultimately impact student learning. Collaborating, communicating, modeling in classrooms, providing ideas for best practice instructional strategies, and delivering ongoing job-embedded professional development are just a few of the things that are part of the role of an instructional coach. In several of our sessions, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions about the many different roles of an instructional coach. If you want to learn more about the tools and strategies that coaches use, join us at the symposium on Tuesday, June 10th.
Reminiscing back to our younger and possibly more playful days might offer some insight to coaching. If you’ve ever been part of an athletic team, you may have seen some good attributes of a coach. A successful coach begins with developing trusting relationships with his or her players by listening and observing. When the players trust the coach, they accept and even crave feedback that leads players to improve his or her skills. A good coach doesn’t over-coach, but steps in at the right time. Patience and encouragement get athletes through the rough times. Great coaches never get in the game and do it for the players, but instead nudge them along toward improvement.
Coaching is as much of an art as it is a science. There are many successful artists that create works to please our senses in different ways. Each artist is unique in how they go about creating a product or experience. Instructional coaches are also creative in using their craft to create products and experiences. No two coaches are the same in their approach to creating an environment for growth. Like an artist using different tools and mediums, coaches use multiple tools and mediums to shape their work. Some words to describe the art of coaching are: creative, unique, flexible, passionate, dynamic, and multi-modal.
Taking on the role of an instructional coach is much the same as an athletic coach or an artist. Every day is different and unique. Instructional coaches begin by building trust and relationships with teachers so that they can provide feedback in a safe and non-evaluative manner that promotes professional growth. The partnership between the instructional coach and teacher is to ultimately impact student learning. Collaborating, communicating, modeling in classrooms, providing ideas for best practice instructional strategies, and delivering ongoing job-embedded professional development are just a few of the things that are part of the role of an instructional coach. In several of our sessions, you will have the opportunity to engage in discussions about the many different roles of an instructional coach. If you want to learn more about the tools and strategies that coaches use, join us at the symposium on Tuesday, June 10th.