5 Ways an Instructional Coach Can Support You!

Whenever a parent or another adult asks me what I do, I always hesitate.  Most of the time they don't have any idea what a "Reading Specialist" or an "Instructional Specialist" is.  I get all kinds of questions. In fact, I usually just say, "I'm a teacher," and hope they don't ask what grade I teach.  But they usually do and then I have to try to explain, which I don't mind but people still usually don't understand exactly what I do. I can't blame them for not knowing.  I don't think we had any coaches or specialists in my school when I was a kid so they probably didn't either.  Though parents may not necessarily need to know what I do, teachers definitely need to know what a coach does and how coaches and specialists can support them in the classroom.  I have found that not all teachers are really familiar with all of the areas wherecoaches can provide support and many of them don't  ask.  So, this is a quick list of five ways teachers can utilize coaches and specialists to assist them in becoming even stronger teachers.

Like a sports coach, an instructional coach provides feedback and encouragement.

1. Coaches can offer feedback.  I've been teaching for a while now and if there's one thing I know about teachers, most of us are perfectionists.  We don't want to look like we don't know what we are doing and we don't want to be evaluated!  Luckily, coaches know this and they are never in a classroom to evaluate the performance of a teacher.  They can, however, offer some observational data that can be extremely helpful when a teacher is not sure s/he is using the best method to teach a specific skill.  Unlike most professions, we do not have the benefit of watching our colleagues work.  We don't have many opportunities to talk about the "how" of teaching because we are often talking about the "what."  A coach can come into a classroom, observe a lesson, and let a teacher know what went well and what he or she can do to make lessons even more powerful.  This should never be in a critical or judgemental way but in a constructive, positive conversation among colleagues.  If you feel like there is an area where you can improve, ask a coach to come and do an observation.  It's a great way to improve our craft!
2. Coaches can provide resources. This is one area where I feel many teachers do utilize their coaches. Personally, I try to have as many resources, or suggestions for where to look for materials, as possible so that, when a teacher comes to me and says, "How can I teach this?" I have something to give to them or a place to start looking with them.  I always assure them that part of my responsibility is to make sure they have everything they need.  Because I hate  dislike worksheets, I am very good at offering alternative methods of teaching and have collaborated with several teachers and teams of teachers to create lots of project based learning activities.  If you are looking for new and different ideas for covering a particular student expectation, consult with your coach!
3. Coaches are excellent collaborators! If you or your team are trying something new and you want input from an experienced teacher who has had the opportunity to visit lots of classrooms, ask a coach to sit-in.  Most coaches are very good at contributing to conversations without dominating the meeting.  If you want an expert opinion about whether or not a new approach or strategy is going to work, invite your coach to participate in your next team planning meeting.  You may even want to ask them to bring some resources or ideas with them. Or, if you just want someone to bounce ideas off of, coaches are great at that as well.  You should never feel as if an administrator or evaluator is present when your coach is attending your meetings because s/he is a teacher and is there to support you and your team.
4. Coaches can model and co-teach. Like our students, most of us learn best by watching and doing.  If you would like to observe another teacher but you can't leave your classroom, invite your coach to model a lesson for you.  It's a great way to see a fabulous teacher deliver a lesson without having to worry about finding someone to cover your class. Another great way to observe another teacher and still be with your class is to invite a coach to co-teach with you. Coaches love this because we miss teaching! We get to work with your kids and learn from you as well. I've never co-taught a lesson and not walked away with at least one great idea I learned from the classroom teacher.  Co-teaching is also great because of the collaboration that goes into planning the lesson and the discussion afterwards.
5. Coaches can work with a small group--in your classroom--while you are working with a small group. When I was a new teacher, I had no idea how to pull a guided reading group.  I went and observed an excellent teacher and it helped me tremendously.  As a coach, this is the area where I am most often asked to model and that's not surprising because it can be tough. If you have a coach available, ask him or her to come in and model a guided reading group, ask them to observe you teaching one, and then ask them to pull a group while you are pulling one.  Not only does it ensure more of your students are engaged while you are pulling a group, it also gives you the opportunity to watch the coach and adjust your lesson as you are working.  It' a fabulous way to learn from an expert while you are still teaching your own students.

There are lots of ways Instructional Coaches and Specialists can support you and help you grow as a teacher. I have often heard teachers say they don't want to ask for help because they are afraid they will look like they don't know what they are doing.  This is far from the case. The best teachers continuously look for ways to grow and they take advantage of the resources they have available to them. If you have an expert in your building, why not utilize that person and ask for their guidance?  A good coach will be excited to work with you and your kids.  We love talking about teaching, sharing resources, collaborating with other teachers, working with kids--and teaching! Don't be afraid to start a conversation and see where it takes you!

Teachers--in what ways have you utilized an Instructional Coach?  What was the result?
Coaches--How else can teachers use you to strengthen their teaching skills?