Relationships between teachers and instructional coaches can sometimes be tricky to manage. When the relationship goes south, teachers can feel picked on or even spied uponâand coaches unheard or underutilized. Recently, educator Crystal M. Watson asked her Twitter followers about the best things their instructional coaches do, and we thought the responses were worth sharing.
Wondering âwhat the heck is an instructional coach?â Youâre not alone! Many of the respondents to Watsonâs thread said that they donât have the role in their districts and arenât familiar with it. Instructional coaches are subject matter experts who pair with teachers to help them develop their skills, set goals, and deepen strategies. For example, a reading coach might work with you on your small group teaching on everything from setting up the groups to identifying benchmarks to planning activities for the groups you are not working with one-on-one. At their best, instructional coaches help you to be your best for yourself and your students. Read on to see what teachers say great instructional coaches do:
1. They co-teach
Itâs a dream when instructional coaches actually serve as a co-teacher, assisting with lesson planning and differentiated instruction.
2. They cover classes so teachers can regroup
The gift of time is undeniable.
3. They plan collaboratively
If more schools took the time for collaborative planning rather than top-down PD, weâd be in a better place.
4. They take over some of the boring parts of the job
We love this example of an instructional coach putting together the basic structure of a PowerPoint for the teacher to flesh out later.
5. They know when to back off
Great instructional coaches realize when teachers need to hear feedbackâand when they donât. None of us can handle an avalanche of ways we can improveâitâs best to tackle one or two things at a time.
6. They know that observing other teachers is the best form of PD
How great would it be to observe other classrooms with your team so you can compare notes and ideas you want to try?
7. They ask where WE want to grow instead of pushing their own agendas
Believe us, we know where we need help. Let us get the support we need first.
One thing that was clear in Watsonâs Twitter thread is that too many teachers donât have instructional coaches at all or find their support lacking.