Reintroducing Instructional Coaching at Method Schools

Due to the ever-changing nature of life and student needs at Method Schools, the Instructional Coaching team has re-designed its approach to coaching in order to support more teachers, SSMs, and PSMs in their work with students. 

Instead of providing a year-long individualized coaching program to a handful of teachers, the ICs will work with all teachers and instructional staff to provide pedagogical and instructional support that aligns with organizational OKRs and staff-initiated common themes (see the word cloud above for frequently requested professional learning topics from Method staff).  

Continue reading for more information about Instructional Coaching at Method Schools.

What is Instructional Coaching?  

A form of professional development that brings out the best in people, uncovers strengths and skills, builds effective teams, cultivates compassion, and builds emotionally resilient educators. 

What does an Instructional Coach do?

An instructional coach...

• ...works one-on-one with teachers or helps small groups collaborate effectively
• ...helps teachers brainstorm ideas and strategies and helps departments collaborate effectively
• ...has an open online space and invites teachers to observe 
• ...is available to model lessons and teaching strategies
• ...observes and provides feedback on lessons and 1:1s
• ...carries out the organizational mission to aggressively advance K-12 public education through continuously developing models that promote targeted student growth and a culture of inclusivity and equality. 
• …upholds the 7 tenets of the Method Code
• ...shares our teaching lives and best practices through a shared blog: The Ripple Effect 
• ...is a resource & cheerleader for teachers.

What an Instructional Coach is NOT...

An administrator or evaluator.  We do not report to directors about teachers. We work with teachers to improve student achievement and will always honor the work we do together.  We learn as much from you as you do from us! We will always collaborate with you about what gets shared publicly.  Our time together is anonymous unless you give us permission to share.

What to Expect

• We can visit your online classrooms
• We can collaborate on a lesson
• We can research a strategy or support to help you achieve your goals
• We can meet with your departmental team to facilitate conversations about new approaches and ideas
• We can meet weekly, monthly, or intermittently as issues arise
• We will reach out to you, but you can reach out to us as well!
• We will collect data that we met, but will not share what we discussed without your permission (though we would love to share your awesome work with our colleagues so we can all learn from each other!)
• We can help with new approaches (like mastery-based learning and iterative feedback loops!), concepts (like unpacking Learning Targets), new EdTech, brainstorming lesson ideas, strategizing ways to solve issues, bouncing ideas around, etc.
• We can just be there when you need someone to talk to or connect with.  Teaching can be a lonely gig and we don’t want you to go through it alone!  
  
  

  Have you practiced some new strategies/skills with a student or in one of your live sessions? 

  We would love to see a recording to share with others! 

  
  

  Want to chat about how to incorporate new strategies/skills with your students? 

  We would love to meet with you! 

  
  

  Want an instructional coach to support you with teaching students some new strategies/skills? 

  We would love to model alongside you in a live session with your students.

  
  

  Be part of the Method Ripple Effect!

  And reach out to any instructional coach through Slack or Gmail.

  
  

  Your Instructional Coaching Team,

  Awara VanSumer and Jen Johnson