Rusty and Dusty

Today was exciting for me. I was able to go into another teacher's class and model a lesson for her. I worried and scripted and still felt unorganized when I got in the class. However, it was a lot of fun and the kids were wonderful. I think a did a constructivist thing...I modeled how to set up Norms/expectations with the class (this teacher is struggling with classroom management). Instead of giving them my list of expectations, I asked what they thought the norms of the class should be. There was total buy in and the list looked just like mine would have! Kids never cease to amaze me! It was fun to be with the kids again.

Coaching vs. Consulting

As Instructional Coaches, a major part of our job is have "Constructivist Conversations" with teachers (coaching). In other words, in our conversations, we should not be telling teachers what they need to be doing but instead getting them to tell us what they need to do. This sounds so simple to do but it is very diffucult, especially for a person such as myself. I REALLY like to tell people what to do (just ask my husband!!). You have to be patient and practice appropriate questioning strategies to get people to think on their own. It is not easy. I am struggling in this area. I know that people who are able to come up with answers by themselves will more likely make changes. Why is this so hard to do? Why do we, as teachers, like telling rather than listening and letting others explore?

Instructional Coach Blues

I find myself envious of all of you teachers who are out there actually teaching. Don't get me wrong, I love my new position and am very excited about all that can be accomplished with change in a school. However, I would love to be able to start trying some of the things we are learning in the CIT class right away with real students. Were you aware that teachers, especially secondary teachers, don't like change?It comes much more slowly at this level than it does in the classroom with kids. Ray and I just keep reminding each other about CBAM (maybe someday we can share this with you when we have some time). CBAM is a great way to "hang in there" when change is taking place. It reminds us that anxiety, complaining, etc. is natural when there is change. I am excited to hear about the things that other teachers are doing (with and without technology).