​How Coaching Can Help Teachers Strengthen Teaching and Learning

By: Dij Jones, Patsy Hays, Jim Aragon, and Julie Bai

After five days of intensive training in the Peer Teaching Program, created by Microsoft in collaboration with Puget Sound center for Teaching Learning, we now have designated Peer coaches. They are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to work with PLCs strengthening teaching and learning practices through the use of technology, Effective Communication, Lesson Improvement Process Rubric, and the Coaching Cycle.

Effective Communication

"Communication skills are the most important in impacting the teacher's ability to be effective because without communication skills none of the other steps can be done. Coaching is about building relationships and communication is the foundation of that."
As the coaching process begins, the need for effective communication is high on the priority list. The ability to use the concept of Protocols for paraphrasing as a check for understanding, active listening to block out all competing thoughts, asking clarifying questions for clear understanding of the facts, and if needed asking open ended probing questions to encourage deeper thinking within the conversation, can provide a platform for effective collaboration between the coach and teacher that can improve the teaching and learning process.

The Lesson Improvement Process Rubric

This be used to strengthen teaching and learning because it gives coaches and collaborative teachers a guide to follow when working on a lesson they are trying to improve. In using this rubric they will also use the Learning Activity Checklist. (L.A.C.) This ensures that if there is a conflict everyone involved has a guide to follow during collaboration to problem solve. If someone in the group is confused on standards that should be used in a learning activity they can refer to the checklist and/or rubric.

"The Lesson Improvement Process Rubric is the most important because it actually encompases the other processes by having you check how often you used the other processes. "

The Coaching Cycle

Excellent coaching practice is embedded in all parts of the Coaching Cycle (Session 1). The 5 stages of the Coaching Cycle include the following actions: Goals, Prepare, Implement, Reflect, and Assess. It's an overarching structure for all the other resources and protocols included as components in the coaching process. Coaches and collaborating teachers go through this cycle together to continuously hypothesize, test, and learn from their teaching practice. By using the cycle as a consistent process, all aspects of good coaching and practice are used as well, including goal setting meetings, lesson revisions, problem-solving protocols, and celebrations. Facilitators and schools can use the cycle as an overall schedule and step-by-step checklist to follow during collaboration between teachers.

So, when working with teachers to strengthen the teaching and learning processes we must keep these things close at hand. Use all steps of the coaching cycle to ensure that nothing is left out. Use of the Lesson Improvement Rubric is a must when developing the lessons to be taught. In all these wonderful aspects of Coaching, Communication is the key to a successful
collaboration in building strength in teaching and learning.

Reference Links:
Effective Communications Cue Card
Learning Activity Checklist