Instructional Coaches and the Instructional Leadership Team

Dr. Dean T. Spaulding is currently an assistant professor at the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York, where he teaches educational research and program evaluation. Dr. Spaulding is the former chair of the Teaching Evaluation SIG for the American Evaluation Association. He also has been a professional evaluator/researcher for fifteen years and has in-depth experience serving as an evaluator on multiple state and federally funded projects. More specifically, he has conducted evaluation for programs focusing on K-12 settings, the use of technology in the classroom, as well as working in the area of teaching and learning with at-risk youth populations. At the government/state agency level, Dr. Spaulding has conducted research and provided programmatic feedback for New York State Department of Education, New York Sate Department of Public Health, and the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). Dr. Spaulding also is one of the authors of Methods in Educational Research: From Theory to Practice, 2006, Jossey-Bass Wiley, San Francisco, and the author of Program Evaluation in Practice: Core Concepts and Examples for discussion and Analysis (2008), Jossey-Bass Wiley, and Action Research for School Leaders (2012). Dr. Spaulding is also a consultant at Z Score Inc. dspaulding@zscore.netGail Smith, a native of Brooklyn New York, received her BA and MS at State University College at Oneonta, NY. She received her masters’ in education administration at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Her thirty-six year career at an upstate New York urban school district included positions as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and deputy superintendent of schools. In 1988, Gail was one of five finalists for New York State Teacher of the Year. After retiring, Ms. Smith worked for two years as an administrator at two different schools on Native American reservations in Arizona and New Mexico. She returned to her home district in July 2008 to work as a consultant and mentor for their Instructional Leadership/Instructional Coaches project. She also is the proud mother of three children.

This book would have made my life SO much easier the last four years that I have spent as an Instructional Coach. I would highly recommend it to new or experienced instructional coaches alike!

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the Authors1. I′m So Glad You′re Here! The First Day as an Instructional CoachWhat Is an Instructional Coach (IC)?The Instructional Coach - The Early ExplorerStep One: Establish an Instructional Leadership Team (ILT)Step Two: Establish a Job Description for the ICStep Three: Establish the Role and Responsibilities for the ICStep Four: Develop an Action Plan for the ICSummary2. The Instructional Coach and the Instructional Leadership Team: A Unique ApproachThe Priorities of a School LeaderPriority Two and Strong Instructional Leadership (SIL)The Instructional Leadership Team (ILT)An Equal and Shared VoiceBasic Steps for the ILTSummary3. Refocus and Start Again! The Instructional Leadership Team Supporting the Instructional CoachHow the IC Carries Out the ILT′s PlanSelection and Implementation of a New CurriculumIC Providing Professional Development (PD) and Technical AssistanceFeedback for the ILTProfessional Development for the ICUsing Data to Support the ILT and ICThe "Why Is That?" Analysis TechniqueWays the Principal Can Support the ICHow to Work With the PrincipalDos and Don′ts for the Principal/IC MeetingSummary4. The Day-to-Day Work of the Instructional CoachGetting StartedBasic Ways to Work With TeachersWorking With Teachers in Their ClassroomsSummary5. An Idea for the Day: Strategies and Ideas to Encourage Engagement Between Teachers and the ILTSummary6. Assessing Individual and Group Strengths: Strategies for Working With the Resistant TeacherWho Is the Resistant Teacher?The IC and Private InvestigatorSearch and Rescue: Thirteen Strategies for Mining for GoldSummary7. Changing Teacher Practices Through Classroom Field-Testing - The ILT′s RoleClassroom Field-Testing: A Possible Open Door?Professional Development ActivityHow The Instructional Leadership Team Can Support Action ResearchPresenting Classroom Field-Testing ProjectsSummary8. The ILT′s Role in Changing Teacher Practices BuildingwideProfessional Development and Changing Teacher PracticesThe Role of the IC in Changing Teacher Practices: A Buildingwide EffortSteps in Establishing a Large-Scale Evidence-Based FrameworkThe Power of Evidence-Based Classroom StudiesSummary9. A New Coach in Town! The ILT′s Role in Training New Instructional CoachesWhat Has Happened Here?What Should Everyone Do?The Game Plan: Get Started Right Away!Player/Coach: Mentor Coaching 101What′s in It for Me? Benefits of the New Mentor Coach RoleAdvice From The Field: Tips From Current Instructional CoachesEveryone Wins: Coaching the Coach Sharpens Everyone′s Game10. Toolbox for the Instructional Coach: Examples of Surveys, Protocols, and ToolsParent SurveyTeacher SurveyWorkshop Training Teacher SurveyProfessional Development Planning SheetIC Planning Sheet #1IC Planning Sheet #2IC Planning Sheet #3IC Planning Sheet #4IC Planning Sheet #5IC Planning Sheet #6Needs Assessment SurveyPromising Practices Building SurveyReferencesIndex