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Guiding Teachers

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Using a Checklist for Powerful Post-Conferences

Lisa Mazinas gives a structure for post-conference conversations. These talking points are the perfect place to begin.

Capturing Classroom Currents

David Pittman shares how to capture the current of energy from teacher to student and student to teacher in this guide to make the classroom currents visible to teachers.

A PLC Planning Template to Help Focus Work with Teachers

Tara Barnett and Kate Mills share a PLC planning template they created to help focus their meetings to be relevant and clear. Included are links to download the template plus two completed templates to see how they worked in action.

Stay Sharp with Professional Reading

Kate Mills and Tara Barnett share ways to stay sharp with professional reading.

Yes, and . . . A Collaborative Philosophy

David Pittman explains the improv roots of the phrase “Yes, and . . .” and applies it to a coaching conversation that will lift professional conversations to a new level.

Let’s Upskill: How to Revive and Transform Instruction to Serve Today’s Learners

Jen Schwanke offers clear and practical steps teachers can take to modernize how to meet the needs of today’s students. Following these steps will help ward off the risk of being too comfortable in old routines.

Coaching Minute: Creating Conversations to Anchor Professional Relationships

Instructional coach Jen Court takes advantage of the early days of a school year to be present with classroom teachers and create conversations that begin to anchor meaningful professional relationships.

Coaching Toward Independence: Using an Instructional Framework to Guide a Principal-Teacher Conversation

Matt Renwick shares how leaders can use an instructional framework to bridge discussions that will honor teachers’ professional learning journeys.

How to Respond When Books and Curriculum Resources Are Challenged

Jen Schwanke addresses the fact that educators, books, and curriculum resources are under increased scrutiny. She offers practical and wise steps to take when resources are questioned by concerned stakeholders.

Changing Positions? How to Rethink Your Community (Download)

Cathy Mere offers practical steps to finding a new community when you switch positions. Download a copy of a guided reflection to intentionally seek a new community.

Books for Literacy Leaders

Jen Schwanke suggests five books that will enrich a leader’s skills by solidifying their approach to the important work of evolving our instructional practices.

Professional Books that Make an Impact

Stella Villalba shares her top professional book recommendations. These titles will make an impact and widen your lens for meeting the needs of students.

A PLC Idea: Planning Scaffolds for Upcoming Units of Study 

Tara Barnett and Kate Mills create space for teachers to think about charts more strategically in a PLC meeting. The reality is that thinking about charts can feel like one more thing, especially when premade charts feel like they get the job done. Kate and Tara make chart-making valuable and collaborative.

Combating Leadership Loneliness

Gwen Blumberg addresses the issue of loneliness in literacy leadership. She offers a variety of ways to create connections that will nurture and sustain leaders.

Professional Learning Accountability Partners

Jen Court offers a strategic way to create and support professional learning accountability partners in schools.

Five Books to End the Year Coaching Strong

Stephanie Affinito offers five picture books to end the year coaching strong. Each offers an opportunity for teachers to enjoy a book together, reflect on the year, and walk away with a book to share with their students. 

Mini (But Mighty) Ways to Connect with Teachers

Gigi McAllister gives tips to help maintain consistent communication and connections with teachers in a way that respects their time when sharing information.

 

Using Photographs for Coaching Conversations

Jen Court shares ways in which she uses photos to support conversations to help teachers achieve their instructional goals.

Slicing Up the Pie

Matt Renwick masterfully outlines a complexity of public education: We are constantly making decisions on behalf of our students, and they rarely fully meet every kid’s needs. Knowing these limits and keeping students at the center of decision making (as opposed to the loudest calls to action from parents) ensures a more equitable educational experience for all.

Coaching Minute: Keep the Focus on Students

Inga Omondi suggests keeping the focus on students in order to entice apprehensive teachers into a coaching relationship.

Coaching Minute: Navigating Tough Conversations

Instructional coach Holly Wenning shares advice for navigating tough conversations.

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