Monday, October 7, 2013

The Coach-Administrator Relationship

The topic for the next two weeks is the coach-administrator relationship. Below are a few quotes to get you thinking about this pivotal part of a coach's success.

"Literacy coaches are powerless without the direct support of the principal. Some principals 
find it effective to include the literacy coach on the school’s leadership team so that he or she sees the big picture and begins to understand schoolwide decision making. Regular 
communication provides an opportunity for the coach to share updates on successes or challenges with the principal so he or she can provide needed support (p. 25)."
"Three Techniques for Successful Literacy Coaching"
Rosemarye T. Taylor, Dale E. Moxley, Carol Chan Ter, and Don Boulware

". . . the coach needs to be seen a supportive resource for teachers. To support the coach as a resource, knowledgeable other, and ally, administrators cannot ask the coach about an individual teacher’s performance. If coaching is to be accepted as a school improvement initiative, administrators cannot assign coaches to teachers who have experienced trouble or difficulty. And administrators cannot interfere with the development 
of collegial relationships between the teachers and the coach (p. 3)."
Coaching Considerations: FAQs Useful in the Development of Literacy Coaching
Douglas Fisher, Professor

Supports for Literacy Coaching Success:

  • Clear, detailed job description
  • Commitment to developing a school literacy team and a vision for literacy learning
  • Assistance in building trust
  • Assistance in using time, managing projects, and documenting their work
  • Assistance in organizing study groups
  • Assistance in planning effective professional development for teachers
  • Assistance in helping teachers analyze data
  • Access to instructional resources
  • Opportunities for professional development
  • Feedback on their work
What Supports do Literacy Coaches Need from Administrators in Order to Succeed?
Nancy L. Shanklin

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