I just completed a MOOC through Coursera called Coaching Teachers: Promoting Changes that Stick. It was offered by Match Education based in Boston. As it stands now in the field there is no particular career path or training leading to positions as instructional coaches and coaches are only beginning to be used in schools for the professional development of teachers.
Instructional coaching itself is a rather new paradigm. A simple explanation is that feedback aimed at improving teacher skills is divorced from the evaluation process. The work that instructional coaches do with teachers does not directly affect the administrative evaluation process. Taking this element out of the picture reduces anxiety and more productively focuses on the intended outcome: improved student learning and performance.
Match's approach has coaches explicitly address teacher mindset. They parry the understandable tendency for teachers to take feedback personally. Instructional practice is evaluated NOT the teacher. I am reminded of the Japanese Lesson Study model I learned of in graduate school (Trinity University in San Antonio).
The Japanese Lesson Study model asks that all teachers consider themselves instructional coaches who work collaboratively with their peer colleagues. The teachers select one lesson, watch one of their group teach it, discuss to create improvements and have another teacher implement them as they watch again. Apparently there can be as many iterations as necessary. Other professional development activities such as Critical Friends and Learning Communities support this empowering and collaborative paradigm.
What would it be like if every teacher were an instructional coach? I found that taking this MOOC increased reflection and self-assessment of my work as a teacher, not just as a coach. Surveying the course as a lone teacher will prove productive. But, what if those who teach the same course or a whole department or a school all take the course?
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