Encouraging Energizing Stretch

You could probably make a long list of reasons why teaching is a challenging activity. Among the challenges is the fact that no two days are ever the same, no two classes are ever the same, no two lessons are ever the same. Both students and teachers bring varied knowledge and experiences with them when they step into the classroom each day. The infinite possible combinations make teaching a challenging, problem-solving activity.
 
Reflective conversations and assessment analyses provide a process of discovery that Invites teachers to uncover needs. One of the roles a coach can play is to make a challenge concrete. When we name a challenge clearly, we open a problem-solving conversation and define an opportunity for growth. These challenges require stretch between what we currently know or can do and what needs to be known or done. After clearly naming the opportunity, coaches can generate questions to be grappled with together – questions so hard that answering them requires learning. Curiosity creates change.
 
This year, some districts have turned to scripted curricula they felt would allow for easier pivots between face-to-face and remote learning. Prescribed, whole-class phonics lessons created a challenge in Katie’s first-grade classroom because some students had already mastered the prescribed skill while others weren’t yet ready for it. Katie executed the lesson plan well, but as we reflected, I asked questions about individual student’s responses that illuminated their differing abilities. I made the challenge concrete by saying, “These scripted lessons are meeting the needs of some students, but other students’ needs aren’t being met.” Then I asked, “How could these phonics lessons be differentiated in simple ways?”
 
The conversation that ensured included brainstorming and then choosing specific strategies that would fit seamlessly into upcoming lessons without disrupting the pacing of the lesson or causing too much extra work for Katie, who is already carrying extra responsibilities during this pandemical year. It was a comfortable stretch.
 
To encourage stretch that is energizing, coaches reframe challenges as opportunities and demonstrate confidence. Asking questions is an assurance of faith in a teacher’s capacity. When teachers engage their brainpower and generate answers, they are invigorated and motivated. Powerful work is done when teachers stretch in response to the opportunity presented by a challenge.

This week, you might want to take a look at:
 
Ideas for 1-minute PD:
 
https://blog.teachboost.com/one-minute-pd
 
 
Positioning diversity as a strength:
 
https://ncte.org/blog/2020/02/working-toward-culturally-responsive-assessment-practices/
 
When teachers share “small moment” stories, so do students:
 
https://ccira.blog/2021/02/23/share-small-moments-priming-students-to-tell-their-stories/
 
 
5 stages of implementation:
 
https://instructionalcoaching.com/article-moving-from-talk-to-action-in-professional-learning/
 
 
Best tips for celebrating student writing:
 
https://choiceliteracy.com/article/sharing-writing-in-a-class-celebration/

That’s it for this week.  Happy Coaching!

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