Training For Coaches

Michelle, Diane Sweeney, and Rosie are all smiles as they
work on student-centered coaching in October.

Kreft coaches are fortunate to work with Diane Sweeney, author of Student-Centered Coaching, A Guide for K-8 Coaches and Principals. We met Diane when we traveled to Denver in May. She came to Lewis Central in August and October, and will return in January, March, and May. The 7 Core Practices are the focus of these work sessions. We coaches also benefit from discussions with the other Lewis Central instructional coaches, coaches from surrounding districts, our principals, and AEA personnel.

Shared Leadership (Core Practice #7)

Shared leadership at Lewis Central is taking on many different forms this year.  The first way we as instructional coaches are involved in this leadership is through partnering with administrators on a weekly basis.  During this time we look at school-wide data, discuss the focus for building needs and upcoming professional development, and talk about the ways we are supporting teachers in the classroom through both formal coaching cycles and informal coaching opportunities.  These meetings help keep our coaching on track and also inform administrators of the work we are doing. It is also a great opportunity for us to gain common understanding of the coaching process, problem solve as obstacles arise and celebrate successes. Each meeting ends with a discussion of what support we need as coaches in order to be effective and to continue on our coaching journey.

Rosie and Michelle meet with administrators Erica Kenoyer
and Barb Grell at a weekly coach/admin meeting.

Shared leadership involves more than the instructional coaches and administrators.  We are fortunate to have many new opportunities available within our district.  The TLC grant has allowed our district to expand leadership roles.  Other leadership positions include:

• building leadership team
• content teams
• district leadership team
• induction mentors
• model classroom teachers
• oversight committee
• peer mentors
• program champions
• site-based council           

These district leaders attended a four day training in July to gain skills that will help them as facilitators and collaborators.   On October 19, some of these leaders had the chance to use these skills to help lead professional development at Kreft Primary.   Here are a few of our Kreft colleagues in action!

Math Content Team member Wendy Pomrenke
 provides professional development around accessing
 and using data from a new math assessment.


Kindergarten Program Champion Tyler Friedrichsen
helps teachers access their math data.


First Grade Program Champion April Gradoville
 facilitates a grade level meeting.

Shared leadership has provided these teachers with the opportunity to become involved in the process of promoting and supporting teacher learning. This collaborative process leads to reflection, data analysis, planning, and building relationships. We are lucky to have such a great team of leaders and colleagues all working together towards the ultimate goal of increased student achievement!

Welcome To Our Blog!

We are embarking on new journeys this year.   First, we began new jobs as instructional coaches.  Now, we are first time bloggers!   It seems to be a year of many firsts.  We are excited to be going on this journey.

Instructional coaching is new at Lewis Central.  Coaching can happen in a variety of settings:  large group professional learning, small group learning teams or PLCs, and one-on-one coaching cycles with individual teachers.  All coaching opportunities are used to help make informed decisions and increase student achievement.

Our work is driven by student work, data, and standards/learning targets.  We will be following these seven core practices:
1)  Set student learning goals for coaching cycles
2)  Create learning targets for coaching cycles
3)  Use student evidence to co-plan instruction
4)  Organize coaching through coaching cycles
5)  Co-teach with a focus on effective teaching practice
6)  Measure the impact of coaching on student learning and teacher learning
7)  Partner with the school leader

Visit the Kreft Coaching Corner often for more information about student-centered coaching and the pathway along our journey.  Thank you for coming along with us as we learn and grow!
Michelle and Rosie