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Guiding Teachers

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Quick Take: Protocols for Teacher Study Groups

In this three-minute Quick Take video, Clare Landrigan describes the teacher study group protocol she uses to foster shared understanding and allow for differentiated learning among teachers.

What Coaches Carry (Part 2)

When coaches consider what to carry, they think about what they value and how to stay student-centered in their approaches. Read on for more tips.

The Power of Linking Words and Perceptions

Melanie Quinn relays a powerful practice for staff members to reframe language and perceptions while putting common labels for students in a whole new light.

What Coaches Carry (Part 1)

Some teacher leaders work outside of a classroom and still need to keep their tools at hand. This round-up of advice focuses on what goes along with coaches.

Ways to Avoid Coaching Traps

There are many traps for new literacy coaches that are rarely discussed. Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan share the most common four they try to avoid.

Word Choice for Coaches

Jan Miller-Burkins explores the "how" of shifting language so that it is less judgmental in discussions with colleagues.

What is the Evidence?

Heather Rader shares her experiences working with a teacher team led by an outspoken leader. With listening and support, the team examines evidence in a new way.

Parallels Between Student Learning and Staff Development

Terry Thompson considers the concept of "scaffolding" for both student learning and professional development.

Three Little Phrases No Literacy Coach Can Live Without

Brenda Power shares trade secret phrases for communicating with colleagues.

Not That Into Me

If you’re a literacy coach, those teachers who don’t want to work with you can make you feel like the wallflower at the prom or the last kid picked for the basketball team.  Heather Rader has positive, proactive suggestions for making the best of an awkward situation.

Reflecting on Student Work in Staff Meetings (Download a Template)

Jennifer Allen describes a protocol for analyzing student work in teacher study groups and staff meetings, and includes a template for discussing classroom artifacts.

Engaging Teachers with Coaching

Heather Rader has some thoughtful advice on broaching the subjects of clarity, purpose, and confidentiality when engaging with teachers early in the coaching relationship.

Eight Tips for Building Relationships: A Tale of Two Literacy Coaches

Shari Frost presents a tale of two literacy coaches — one who has had success building close relationships with colleagues, and one who has struggled. In analyzing their experiences, she presents eight practical strategies for building relationships over time.

Coaching High Fives

Stephanie Affinito finds that simple, quick, and modest celebrations can be just what teachers need to get through a long day. She shares the value of these coaching high fives.

Navigating Conversations

We all know when we need to have a conversation that will help but feels tricky to enter. Instructional Coach Mary Brower offers sage advice for navigating conversations with principals.

Prepping a Fieldwork Site: Strategies for Launching Quality Partnerships

Teacher Educators Teach | Suzy Kaback reminds us that launching a fieldwork site is a critical first step in building respectful, relevant partnerships that invite complex learning. “What does this space encourage?” is a helpful question to guide the launch. 

The Coach’s Notebook: How to Capture, Organize, and Analyze Your Data and Responsibilities

Matt Renwick opens up his coach’s notebook and guides us in establishing a tool that supports teaching and learning.

Teaching from the Heart

Teacher Educators Teach is a neighborhood in our Leaders Lounge just for teacher educators. Julie Johnson shares how she tackled the problem of engagement and discovers practical ways to make connections.

Bridging the Gap (Session 2): Finding Your Footing

Mary Brower provides a second professional learning session to help ease the tension between teachers who have opposing views about literacy instruction. Mary provides a protocol for creating a school-wide document of foundational literacy beliefs.

When Coaching Fails: How to Help Educators Who Resist Help

Matt Renwick dives into the reasons why coaching sometimes fails and what we can do when we encounter colleagues who are “help resistant.”

Overcorrecting

“Did I do anything right?” Suzy Kaback receives a note from a gifted teacher that gives her pause. Suzy wonders if avoiding praise is damaging her relationships with teachers. She decides to give more feedback for continuation, which is praise’s smarter cousin for coaches.

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