This week we learned how coaches can build a comfortable coaching space for all, a few tips for teachers to help prep for the fall semester, how one organization rolled out edtech and video tools to support educators and students with distance learning, the role of a coach in new curriculum rollouts, and more. Enjoy! 👍

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How Coaches Can Support New Curriculum Rollouts

Amy Rudd talks about everything that goes into implementing a new curriculum within an organization and the central role ICs play at every stage along the way.

"Anytime there's a new curriculum rollout, a systematic approach to implementation is the key to success. A multi-year plan, paired with coaching, will lead to a more fruitful learning experience for teachers, tutors, students, and parents—especially when coaches lead the planning work. . . . Rolling out a new curriculum is always a challenging task, and as instructional coaches we are best placed to extend our support to all parties in the district."

Bitmoji Ideas for ICs

Kathy Perret highlights how educators can use Bitmoji classrooms to share resources, collaborate, and differentiate PD—plus how to get started on your own.

"We don't know what the future holds for school in the fall. Will we be face to face with our students? Or will we be teaching remotely. Or both? Time will tell. . . . Therefore digital transfer of materials will probably become the norm. Using a singular platform like Google Slides (or other tools) can minimize the confusion for students, teachers, and parents as they navigate the bumpy terrain ahead. The same will hold true for the resources Instructional Coaches share with teachers. As a professional learning facilitator, I use digital resources often. I think there are many uses for the Bitmoji concept for coaches."

Rolling Out Technology in Your Organization

John Heffernan shares how his organization rolled out edtech and video tools to support educators and students with distance learning—plus some best practices to keep in mind when your organization decides to do the same. 😀

" Coaches need to constantly be on the lookout for those who are slipping off the radar and be sure to reach out to them before it's too late. At the other end of the spectrum, some educators will embrace this opportunity to experiment, trying out new tools and ideas. You'll want to be there to offer support to those who are finding their own path, celebrating successes and sharing them with the wider team as appropriate. . . . It's important to build relationships with those teachers prior to trying to achieve a major change in their teaching practice."

Falling Forward

Steph Sukow shares five tips for teachers to help them prep for the fall semester.

" As teachers prepare for the fall, teachers should consider what enhanced the classroom experience and what did not work as well. . . . This fall will be difficult. Returning to a sense of normalcy is going to be fraught with anxiety and heightened emotions. We are all going to worry about our health, our families, and the whole community. We will continue to navigate new waters, and the waves of quarantine may strike again. The ripple effects that we can identify now and some that we do not see coming will impact us. Teachers should allow the unexpected to guide us to calmer waters. Do not fight any storm alone and continue to communicate with your students, colleagues, and family."

Tips for Collaborative Coaching Spaces

Matthew Kelly put together a list of recommendations for ICs on how they can build a comfortable coaching space for all.

"Create a space that promotes a feeling of openness and partnership. One of the most common recommendations is for coaches to set up a space with chairs and a table where teachers and coaches can comfortably work together side-by-side, instead of a more traditional office set up which can feel formal or intimidating. When two people sit across from each other at at a desk, there can sometimes be a feeling that one person is being judged by the other. . . . It may seem like a small thing, but you'd be surprised how meaningful some coffee, breakfast bars, or candy can be for teachers who need an extra boost."

Remote Learning for All

Emily Burton provides a few tips on distance learning for students, teachers, and even parents.

"These are unprecedented times and they will call for unprecedented solutions. Creative solutions will be needed. What does this mean for everyone? Monitor yourselves, your students, and your children. Observe what is working and what isn't. Share that information with each other. Then change your approach as you learn more and continue to observe. We are all the scientific method in action now, and we are all in this together."

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