Lead Lit Topic: Guiding Teachers
Here is where you'll find information on guiding teachers.
Results
Hear It, Clear It Up, and Steer It
A couple of years ago I was in charge of sending out emails two weeks before our scoring workshops in writing. The first time, I was caught off guard by...
Coaching Minute: Dress for Success
What message does your attire send? Heather Rader explores this tricky issue in this quick video tip. A transcript is available below the player. “Nice boots” was the only positive...
Taking a Fresh Look at PLCs
These days, the initialism PLC is so common in teaching vernacular that it is almost to the point of being cliche. But what does it really mean? What does a...
Meaningful Transitions During Professional Development Sessions
No matter the age or composition of a group, transitioning a large number of people from one activity to the next can be difficult. During large-group professional development sessions, it...
Coaching Minute: Teachers First
In this brief video, Ruth Ayres explains why listening and asking genuine questions are essential when mentoring teachers.
You Are Not My Mentor
Sociologists and psychologists have long observed our deep desire to participate in reciprocal behavior. The fact that humans feel obligated to return favors has been documented in virtually all societies...
Benefits and Barriers: Helping Teachers Change
My husband and I had the privilege of flying to San Antonio to see our son Jeff’s graduation from Air Force Basic Training. Our family was proud and excited, which...
Coming Apart to Come Back Together
Poet Mekeel McBride‘s poem provides a useful prompt for teachers to reflect on the underlying tensions in their classroom that might be fertile ground for healthy reflection and change. “Autobiography’s...
Coaching Minute: Cellphone Fun
Do you want a quick fun way to get to learn a bit about participants in professional development? Heather Rader suggests a cellphone poll in this video tip. A transcript...
Coaching Minute: One Size Does Not Fit All
Ruth Ayres talks about the importance of varying responses to teachers with diverse needs in this two-minute video.
Engaging That Class
As a second-year teacher, I had an impossible freshman sixth-period class. I cried after school most days. By contrast, I had three other sections of engaged, fun ninth-grade classes with...
Reaching Boy Writers
"What would you do if the second you got into an airplane bathroom, and you REALLY had to go, the pilot turned on the 'fasten your seatbelt' sign?" This was...
Inviting Teachers into the Digital World
When I became a writing teacher who wrote, I believe I became a better writing teacher. I better understood what my students felt when I asked them to share their...
Coaching Minute: 100% of the Time
Do all teachers need a literacy coach's support? Heather Rader has wise words of advice in this quick video tip. A transcript is included below the player. I...
Coaching Excellent Teachers
“I have no idea what to do with her,” whined Judy. “She’s freaking AWESOME!” Judy, a middle school literacy coach, was struggling with a problem that would be wonderful to...
Instructional Coach: A Position of Contradictions
Love. Hate. Productive. Frustrated. Peace. Stress. We live in a world of tension. We are constantly pushed and pulled. This is especially true for an instructional coach because it is...
Quick! Hide the Chocolate: Challenging Coaching Relationships
If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Maya Angelou As an instructional coach, I collaborate with colleagues as they try new...
How to Start a Writing Group
Thinking about starting a writing group? Follow these steps. 1. Consider Who You Should Invite Consider people you know who want to write. When I put together my writing group,...
Coaching Minute: Who I Know You to Be
Heather Rader shares a great phrase to use when building relationships with colleagues in this quick video tip. A transcript is available below the player. Once a month I work...
The Quiet Power of Language and Learning with Art
Last year a group of K-12 teachers and I met weekly to delve into how language informs teaching and learning in our classrooms. In our weekly gatherings, the teachers brought...
Coaching Minute: Little Things
In this brief video tip, Ruth Ayres reminds us it's the little things that matter most when it comes to coaching.
