Back to Basics Part 3 - Principal Support

Julie Schwartzbauer contributed today's post. All of Julie's posts about her district's "Back to Basics" plan can be accessed here.

In my last “Back to Basics” post, I wrote about how our coaches are using Mary Catherine Moran’s coaching continuum.  The coaching continuum is allowing our coaches the opportunity to differentiate for the teachers in their building.

The Literacy Coaching Continuum (Moran, 2007)

As our coaches continue to explore the various coaching formats, it is becoming apparent that they need the support of their building principal. If we want to build consistency across the district in best practices, then our principals must be seen as leaders in literacy. Teachers must see that the building principal is committed to the district goals and will play a role in supporting them.

In her book Read, Write, Lead, Regie Routman writes about how a principal can become an outstanding leader when they have a deep understanding of literacy.  We want our principals to know what’s most important to look for and listen for in the literacy classroom, as well as how to give feedback and support teachers.  

When we started with our “Back to Basics” plan our vision was that principals would be part of developing shared beliefs through our coaching PLCs. They would partake in classroom visits with building coaches.  They would work with teachers and coaches through ongoing professional collaboration.   

This sort of collaboration takes time; however, our principals have been part of developing our shared beliefs.  As our coaches continue to meet twice per month, the principals are invited to be part of the PLC.  With knowing how busy principals are and respecting the fact that they are needed in their building, we have asked that if possible, they attend the Shared Beliefs PLC with their coaches.  During this PLC, coaches and principals pour through resource upon resource, focussing on one component of balanced literacy.  As a group of 25+, they develop shared beliefs surrounding that component.  These beliefs are then put into a document that is later rolled out to teaching staff.

In my next post, I will talk about how coaches are rolling out the “Back to Basics” components in their buildings.