The shift to distance learning was a quick and unexpected transition for many organizations. Kelly Batts, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for Clinton City Schools in North Carolina, shares how promoting teacher feedback and communication among all organizational levels was their district's biggest win while shifting to distance learning.

This week we learned a few fun alternatives for professional learning to combat the traditional "sit-and-get" model, three tips on how to neutralize the effects of personal baggage ICs carry into coaching sessions, how coaches can deal with change, and more. Enjoy! 👍

Happy Holidays from your friends at TeachBoost! 🎄🎁 We're wrapping up 2019 with the top articles from December's weekly coaching roundups. Learn how coaches can support teacher retention by helping them find a sense of purpose, how one coach used gamification to create an environment of risk-taking, key factors that are crucial to great instructional coaching, and more!

This week we learned about a few key components that are necessary for effective instructional coaching, how one coach found a fun way to promote risk-taking through gamification, the flexibility of "un-conferences" as a way for teachers to collaborate professionally, and more. Enjoy!

How can you bring friendly competition to your organization that supports professional learning, you ask? Lindsay Zilly, Director of Professional Learning for Illinois Digital Educators Alliance, relays how she created an environment that promotes risk-taking through gamification as a fun alternative to standard professional development.

Ellen Eisenberg, executive director of The Professional Institute for Instructional Coaching, introduces us to some peer coaching concepts and explains how it can support new approaches to school-wide improvement.

Are you looking to build a coaching program or implement video into your current mix? Steven Montemarano, coordinator of learning at Livonia Central School District, reflects on what it took to build a program from the ground up and how his district now uses video to complement ongoing efforts.

Tonya Moody, Instructional Coach in Westfield Washington School District in Indiana, highlights her experiences of using video to advance professional learning, create meaningful reflections for growth, and model best practices for teachers.

For more posts from instructional coaches, for instructional coaches, please check out our recent posts from the TeachBoost series, "Your Coaching Toolbox," or read previous posts from the chapter, "First Year As a Coach."

With the Holiday season upon us, there is a lot to be thankful for—family, friends, even must-reads! Induldge in some refreshing articles on personalizing PD, principles for outstanding classroom management, having difficult coaching conversations, the hidden secret to success with instructional coaching, boosting teacher morale, and more. Enjoy!

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