Many teachers and specialists are being asked to provide support and guidance to their professional peers through a process called coaching. Coaching has become a popular model in schools to provide professional development and support to improve the instructional skills of teachers, and the reading/literacy skills of students. Unfortunately, few teachers who are being given the role of “coach” are receiving sufficient training or support to adequately perform the role. This challenging situation is complicated by the fact that very few administrators have an understanding of this new role and how to provide the support that coaches will need to be successful. This seminar begins with the basics: The research-based rationale for coaching (WHY provide coaching?), WHO makes a good coach, and WHAT are the key tasks that help make coaching successful. The essential difference between coaching and supervision is discussed. Various models of coaching are presented along with an overview of Student-Focused Coaching (SFC; Hasbrouck & Denton, 2005 & Hasbrouck & Denton, 2009). One day or multiple day seminars can then focus on various topics including: The coach/principal partnership, working successfully with ALL teachers, the professional development role of coaches, using collaborative problem solving strategies, and more.

NOTE: This focus of this workshop is on the process of coaching rather than the content. It is appropriate for literacy and reading coaches, math coaches, science coaches, special educators, school psychologists, etc.

Content for this session is based on two books, The Reading Coach: A How-to Manual for Success (2005) and The Reading Coach 2: More Tools & Strategies for Student-Focused Coaches, both authored by Dr. Jan Hasbrouck and Dr. Carolyn Denton available from www.gha-pd.com.

Outcomes

Participants attending this session will learn:

1. The basics of coaching: WHY should coaching be provided? WHAT are the various models of coaching?
2. About a research-based and responsive coaching model for the real world: Student-Focused Coaching (Hasbrouck & Denton, 2005; 2009)
3. Ideas, strategies, and tools so coaches can help every teacher succeed with every student!