There is no question that teachers are facing unprecedented challenges as they adjust to hybrid and/or virtual instruction. Many proven pedagogical practices are no longer applicable which means we are in a constant state of innovation around teaching and learning. Lack of connection with students is also creating a sense of loss and disorientation for …
Written by Diane Sweeney and Leanna Harris There is always so much to do in the first few weeks of school. Especially this year. Teachers will be reconnecting with their students after being apart. They will be setting up classrooms that meet the newest guidelines for keeping us safe, healthy, and learning. And they will …
Written by Diane Sweeney & Leanna Harris With the release of our new book, The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching: What Every K-12 Coach and School Leader Needs to Know, a question has arisen about how it fits in with the other books we have written on the subject. Each week we hear from leaders …
Written by: Diane Sweeney and Leanna S. Harris Excerpt from: The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching (Corwin, April 2020) It’s exciting when districts find the resources to hire coaches. When creating a plan for hiring, it’s imperative to get clear on the philosophy and practices for coaching first, and then staffing the positions later. It …
Written by Diane Sweeney and Leanna Harris Originally posted in the fall of 2015, this three-part blog series has been revised and updated. Getting to 60% (PART I of III) During a session with a partner district, Diane asked a team of K-12 coaches and principals to jot down the percentage of time that they …
Written by Diane Sweeney and Leanna Harris From: Student-Centered Coaching: The Essential Guide for K-12 Coaches and Principals (Corwin, Forthcoming) We know that teachers need job-embedded opportunities for professional learning. But let’s not forget that coaches do too. While it can be valuable for coaches to attend conferences, read professional texts, and meet with district …
Guest post written by Kristy Gaudio Instructional coach. Basketball coach. Life coach. Voice coach. No matter what you’re involved in, you can find a coach to reach out to. And while the concept of coaching has been around for quite some time, it’s hard to identify exactly what traits define an effective coach. Some would …
Written by: Diane Sweeney, co-author of Student-Centered Coaching: The Moves (Corwin, 2016) After a recent presentation at a coaching conference, a young man pulled me aside and said, “This coaching stuff is harder than I expected. I’m thinking about going back to the classroom.” It felt like a confession, and I wasn’t sure what to …