Month: December 2018

2018: Year in Review

Posted on by Tara McCartney

This year I tried to understand the role of the instructional coach in more depth. Here are the top 10 things I’ve learned:

10. Intense PD doesn’t happen during statewide testing. Edutopia

9. PD needs to be interactive. Gone are the days of the sit and get PD! Do the fire drill, don’t just glance at the map. Robert Kaplinsky

8. The instructional coach and administrator relationship is critically important. Balanced Reading

7. You can’t easily measure your impact as a coach. Learn to live with ambiguity while we study the role in depth. Barkley

6. Teachers are partners in learning. The instructional coach is not an expert in the field – but a coach should be able to help guide thinking and keep the learning moving forward. Instructional Coaching Group

5. Twitter is an incredible source of knowledge and inspiration! Follow me on Twitter!

4. Coaches need coaching too. Start a Mastermind of coaches. Cult of Pedagogy

3. Your role as a coach requires you to be present in the moment. You are released from the classroom to release you from those every day stresses so that you can help shoulder the incredible weight of the teachers you serve. Self care is critical. EdWeek

2. You can’t be all things to all people. Offer coaching to all and feed the hungry. ASCD

1. Develop your vision and mission. ASCD

And So It Begins…

Posted on by Tara McCartney

My 2019 goal was to start a blog. And I’ve started! Goal is complete already and I haven’t even left 2018! I have to admit that this blank space is somewhat intimidating. What if I have absolutely nothing to say?

Since school is out for a few more days, it’s time for some reflecting and planning. Tomorrow I’ll reflect on the successes of 2018, and then on Tuesday I’ll start planning for 2019. Today, I’ll rest after the fun of decorating the page. Let me know your thoughts on the design in the comments.