Working with Individual Teachers
Bean (2015) discusses ways that reading specialists can develop a sense of trust between the teachers they are working with and themselves in order to be successful in their work (pg. 162-163). The following are different activities that can be used when working with individual teachers:
1. Demonstrating or Modeling: Modeling is key! It is important for coaches to model strategies that may be beneficial inside the classroom. Allow teachers to be apart of the lesson. Provide teachers with specific steps. After the demo-lesson, designate time to allow teachers to ask questions and comment. Schedule a follow-up. This might include, "observing a teacher presenting the same type of lesson that was modeled as a means of determining what the teacher learned" (Bean, 2015, p. 167).
2. Co-Planning: Co-planning allows the coach and the teacher to "build a collaborative relationship" (Bean, 2015, p. 168). If the teacher welcomes the coach, this will allow the coach to help plan different lessons that focuses on developing a specific skill or strategy.
3. Problem Solving: Coaches can assist teachers with problems they may be having in the classroom. For example, how to implement a specific strategy in the classroom, how to manage centers during reading, how to talk to parents of a struggling reader. Coaches act as a resource to teachers (Bean, 2015).
4. Observing: As a coach, it is important to observe teachers and provide them with immediate feedback. Observations allow for the coaches to see what the teacher is teaching, provide them with additional strategies, and help improve classroom practices. Bean (2015) discusses a coaching cycle. The cycle focuses on "facilitating the teacher's growth and the coach is seen as a resource" (Bean, 2015, pg. 169). The cycle includes planning, observing, analyzing/reflecting, and conferring.
5. Giving Feedback: It is important to provide teachers with feedback immediately. Bean (2015) provides suggestions to follow when providing teachers with feedback in a "carefully balanced and respectful manner" (pg. 182). The suggestions are as followed, (1) be specific, (2) behave in ways that reduce defensive behavior, (3) provide teachers with balanced feedback, and (4) celebrate success.
Hi Caitlin!
ReplyDeleteI think you touch on all of the important points Bean makes on how reading specialists can best work with individual teachers. The specialist needs a plethora of activities or strategies to use when working with different individuals, depending on each teachers's learning and teaching style.
Hi Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteYou bring up such great suggestions for reading specialists to try out within their district. I strongly believe that modeling is the most vital strategy for reading specialists to enforce amongst teachers because it is the most beneficial. Modeling umbrellas all the other activities that follow. Modeling involves reading specialists to co-plan, problem solve together, observe, and provide constructive criticism.
Thank you,
Joanne D. Ribeiro
Hi Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job summing up all the important points Bean made in Chapter 7. All of these areas are important for a reading specialist need to accomplish with their staff.