Who coaches the coach? This question was posed at the Choice Literacy Coaching the Common Core workshop. It's one that is sticking with Deb and me. Instructional coaches (and I think this is a little true for teacher leaders too) live in a land between. We aren't administrators and we aren't teachers. We live between… Continue reading Who coaches the coach?
Category: professional development
Chewing On This
I watched a version of this video several years ago. In preparation for a workshop I'm leading on Thursday with a group of Career Tech educators (think culinary arts and auto mechanics), I pulled it up to watch again. I was glad to find the video was updated last December. I'm struck by the reality… Continue reading Chewing On This
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Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 3 of 3}
The third part of the conference was led by Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan. They inspired me to stick to my beliefs. One of the ideas they talked about is a Framework for Change. In order for change to occur, they suggest systems need: Vision Skills Incentives Resources Action Plan If any of these items… Continue reading Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 3 of 3}
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Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 2 of 3}
The second portion of the Choice Literacy workshop, Coaching the Common Core was led by Heather Rader. Heather is the author of Side By Side: Short Takes on Best Practice for Teachers and Literacy Leaders. She is the senior editor for Choice Literacy and an instructional coach I hope you know Heather's work. She is… Continue reading Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 2 of 3}
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Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 1 of 3}
Recently Deb Gaby and I attended a Choice Literacy Workshop called Coaching the Common Core. It was one of the best conferences I've ever attended (and I've attended a lot of really great conferences!). The workshop was divided into three parts. Jennifer Allen, Heather Rader, and Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan led the three portions.… Continue reading Choice Literacy: Coaching the Common Core {Part 1 of 3}
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Rest.
Today was a holiday from school. Ever since we've added a sixth member to our family, I've been conscious about rest. Not just about sleep, but about relaxing and staying away from screens and restoring my soul. I hope it doesn't take a major life change for you to consider the importance of rest too.… Continue reading Rest.
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All-Write Summer Institute 2013
I know I'm a little bias, but this is one of my favorite conferences. It is a little like summer camp for teachers. I think the reason why it's so great is because the speakers are top in the field, and yet the conference is still small enough that you feel like you matter. Like… Continue reading All-Write Summer Institute 2013
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Lab Sites Showcase Examples of Good Teaching
Debrief questions and forms for a classroom lab site.
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A Little Writing Love
As an instructional coach, a key part of my job is to encourage and inspire teachers. This is one of my favorite things about my job. It isn't easy to be the person who is always nudging people to grow, but it is fun to be the person who gets to offer doses of encouragement… Continue reading A Little Writing Love
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Writing Because…
One of the reasons I appreciate the opportunity to lead professional development is I get to continue pushing myself to new understandings and deeper learning. Every time I speak or work with a group of teachers, I gain a clarity and energy for teaching writers. When this doesn't happen, when my learning ceases, when I'm… Continue reading Writing Because…
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Foundations of Writing Workshop
I'm looking forward to the next few days. It's a workshop where old meets new. I've been leading beginning writing workshops for nearly a decade. I'm looking forward to making some shifts to include Common Core thinking, while at the same time holding on to the aspects that make workshop powerful. Tomorrow is all about… Continue reading Foundations of Writing Workshop
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Christy Is…
Last week I had the privileged of observing Christy Rush-Levine with her eighth grade language arts classes. Deb Gaby, the reading coach in my district, along with two middle school teachers went with me to check out Christy's approach to remediation. At the heart of her work is reading and writing workshop. I began a list a… Continue reading Christy Is…
