http://www.psctlt.org/splash.htmlReprinted from the Innovative Teachers Network, Puget Sound Coaching Center & Microsoft for Backup to support teacher training.
What is Peer Coaching?
Peer coaches are teachers who are recognized by their
staff as strong teachers. Many of them have had some success in
integrating technology into their classroom curriculum. All coaches are
willing to help other teachers in reaching this same goal. Coaches
assist collaborating teachers to blend strong instructional practices
and technology into classroom activities by discussing and sharing
teaching practices, and supporting efforts to enrich student learning
through the uses of technology and engaged learning.
What roles do coaches assume?
Coaches assist teachers to develop the skills and strategies needed for classroom use of technology by:
- Planning technology-rich activities or projects with individual teachers.
- Identifying resources or strategies necessary for successful learning activities.
- Modeling or team-teaching lessons that integrate technology and engaging learning strategies.
- Reflecting or debriefing on learning activities.
Attributes of a Successful Peer Coach
Teachers say a successful peer coach:
- Is able to build trust with peers.
- Builds on what a teacher needs.
- Is a team player.
- Communicates well and listens to teachers.
- Knows what teachers are doing in their classrooms.
- Can show teachers how to replace what they are doing with something better, not just present technology as an add-on.
- Is highly organized and plans well in advance with teachers.
- Provides a safe, risk-taking environment and is non-threatening, non-judgmental, and accepting.
- Is flexible.
- Has enough depth and breadth of knowledge to help
teachers who are at various stages of technology integration, including
knowledge of appropriate instructional strategies.
- Knows how to organize and structure a technology-rich classroom.
- Is recognized by staff as a strong/outstanding teacher.
Characteristics of Teacher and School Readiness for Peer Coaching
Coaches say success characteristics of a teacher include:
- Seeing the need and purpose for this work.
- Seeing how much fun it is.
- Knowing that it is okay to make mistakes or ask dumb questions.
- Being open to learning and being helped.
- Having an existing relationship with the peer coach, if possible.
- Being committed to learning and willing to try out new things.
- Feeling okay about taking risks and failing.
- Having a flexible classroom and a willingness to change teaching style, curriculum, and scheduling.
- Being able to make use of this opportunity. For example, some teachers want a lot of training but don't ultimately incorporate technology in their classroom; a
teacher who already has the classroom set up for group work and
project-based learning is more likely to integrate technology into
their classroom.
Teachers and coaches say success characteristics of a school include:
- A "tight" staff with a "help each other" ethic.
- A school culture that encourages teachers to ask for help.
- A school culture that is open to project-based learning.
- Teachers who see themselves as lifelong learners and who seek out new teaching strategies.
- Alignment of coaching with school/district goals, initiatives, and priorities.
- Clear school/district expectations and accountability measures for coaches and collaborating teachers.
- An invested principal who will ensure that coaching is supported as part of the school's educational plan.
- Time provided by the school/district for coaches and teachers to collaborate.
- Opportunities for flexible teacher scheduling.
The Peer Coaching Program is Created and Owned by the Puget Sound Center for Teaching Learning and Technology |
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