Ongoing Professional Development

Ongoing Professional Development

Camillia Dababneh EDU 537-Leadership and Instructional Coaching Dr. Lorise Goeke March 19, 2025

WHat are the roles of an Instructional Coach?

Instructional coaches are educational professionals who work closely with educators to support their professional growth by improving their instructional practices to enhancing student learning. Their main role is to provide any needed support thorugh guidance and feedback to support teachers. According to Elmhurst University (2023) these are some methods that an instructional coach can incorporate to support teachers: 1. Observing and Providing Feedback: Coaches can observe lessons and provide constructive feedback. 2. Modeling Best Practices: Coaches can demonstrate effective teaching strategies in a classroom setting. 3.Motivating and Encouraging Teachers: By building trust and rapport, coaches are creating a sustainable working environment with educators. Make learning relevant to their goals. 4. Monitoring Student Achievement: Help teachers analyze student assessment data to inform instruction and improve learning outcomes.

& how it supports ongoing development

Effective Mentoring Strategies

Peer Coaching and Mentorship

A partnership between educators to support each other's professional growth through shared experiences, on going situations, and more.

Trust Based Mentoring & Collaboration

This mentoring approach is built on creating and establishing trust between coaches and teachers. It creates a sense of community and willingness to collaborate.

Personalized Professional Development

A tailored approach to mentoring that aligns professional development, mentorship, and feedback to the individuals goals, and needs.

Building Trust and Collaboration

Implementation:By focusing on building a strong relationship that is built on trust, mentors should establish confidentiality with teachers, and always offer transparency. Focusing on emotional support while encouarging professioanl growth. Coaches should approach this strategy by being intentional and genuine (Cardenas et al., 2024). Supports Adult Learners to be Self-Directed & Reflective: Building trust supports adult learners because it encourages teachers to take initiative in their professional growth within a supportive environment. It also allows teachers to become self-aware and allow for deeper reflections.

Impact on Motivation and Self-Efficacy: When teachers feel supported and a bond is formed with their mentor, there is a willingness to continuosly strive to improve their teaching. It also allows teachers to know that the mentor's role is to be a supportive person in their corner.

Building Trust and Collaborationg Continued....

Why this matters?

This strategy is important to focus on as an instructional coach because it creates a safe space for professional and personal growth for all involved. This leads to enhanced workplace culture and satifcation.Cardenas et al. (2024) states that coaches and teachers should focus on a partnership, and not hierarchial relationships.

Peer Coaching & Mentorship

Implementation:Implentation can focus on a variety of areas. Depending on school site, needs, and collaboration. Pairing experienced teachers with newer teachers is most common. During implementation, observations, conversations, and feedback should be shared between peers. "Teachers can help one another develop skills to meet the needs of their students" (Rouleau, 2019). Supports Adult Learners to be Self-Directed & Reflective: This strategy supports adult learners by allowing newer teachers to take ownership in the work they produce through the feedback they recieve and through self reflection. It strengthens reflective practices through collaborative discussions.

Impact on Motivation and Self-Efficacy: Peer coaching and mentorship is important for many reasons and can lead to higher motivation and self-efficacy with newer teachers. It builds a sense of community and mutual support. It also allows educators to reflect on their own practices while mentoring others. This reinfoces self-confidence.

Peer Coaching & Mentorship Continued....

Why this matters?

Peer mentorship and coaching matters because it creates a supportive environment and system for teachers at all career stages. It also encourages a culture of shared responsibility between all educators, no matter how long you have been teaching. Peer coaching should be a shared vision of success in order to be successful (Rouleau, 2019).

Personalized Proffesional Development

Implementation:Meeting with educators to understand their goals, needs, and learning styles. When implementing this strategy it is important to offer choices in learning opportunities that may include workshops, coaching, or more. By allowing educators to choose their own pathway, it fosters a "culture of empowerment and continuous improvement" (Stevens, 2024). Supports Adult Learners to be Self-Directed & Reflective: This strategy leads to educators taking ownership of their learning journey. It leads to educators having continuous self-reflection on personal growth and instructional strategies.

Impact on Motivation and Self-Efficacy: By personalizing professional development for teachers, it enhances teacher engagment by focusing on personal growth areas where discussed and are needed. It strengthens self-confidence through tailored, meaningful learning experiences.

Personalized Professional Development Continued....

Why this matters?

This strategy matters because it is relevant to the teacher, and they are active learners in their continued education. This leads to a personal investment in learning. This strategy supports differentiated personal growth by collaborating with each other to discuss goals, needs, and wants. According to Stevens (2024), when teachers have a sense of ownership in their learning experiences, they are happier at their jobs and creates a passion for learning.

Cardenas, K., Talos, J., Barton, T. (2024). Beyond the bowl of chocolates: How to build trust in instructional coaching relationships. NWEA. https://www.nwea.org/blog/2024/beyond-the-bowl-of-chocolates-how-to-build-trust-in-instructional-coaching-relationships/ Elmhurst University. (2023). What is instructional coaching? https://www.elmhurst.edu/blog/what-is-instructional-coaching/#:~:text=Instructional%20coaches%20work%20cooperatively%20with,new%20approaches%20can%20be%20implemented. Rouleau, K. (2019). Tapping into the expertise in the building. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/tapping-expertise-building/ Stevens, J. (2024). Customized growth: The power of personalized professional development in k-12 education. NC State. https://fi.ncsu.edu/news/customized-growth-the-power-of-personalized-professional-development-in-k-12-education/#:~:text=By%20providing%20educators%20with%20the,a%20lifelong%20passion%20for%20learning

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