Collaborative Coaching

Educators Supporting Educators

The High-Ability Student Initiative Program uses a two-focused approach to help teachers translate the information/skills/strategies given to them in the online Gifted and Talented Endorsement classes to actual practice with the high-ability students with whom they work. The first type of coaching, called “Conversation Coaching” involves teachers and coaches building rapport, trust and focusing on mediating issues, questions and or concerns about their high-ability students. The second type of coaching, “Endorsement Focused Coaching” occurs when teachers and coaches meet to discuss the specific questions and skills related to what is being taught in the Gifted and Talented Endorsement program. Coaches who have a Gifted and Talented Endorsement and also knowledge regarding high-ability learners, are teamed with two to six participants in the program.

• Coaches are trained in a method called conversation coaching where they establish a relationship and trust with their assigned educators.
• Coaches also are trained in endorsement focused coaching that is based on what is currently being taught in the endorsement classes; what that looks, sounds and feels like when implemented in the classroom.
• Coaches are expected to make a minimum of three contacts per month with their educator, two of which are coaching conversations and one of which is an endorsement focused.  Conversation coaching may take place via telephone, email, ichat, etc.
• Endorsement-focused sessions happen via face-to-face interaction, by visiting the classroom or by connecting with the educator through technology such as ichat.
• Educators are encouraged to video lessons to review with their coaches for feedback.

A coach does not serve as an evaluator of his/her participants but rather as a guide, cheerleader, advisor, and friend.  Coaches are there to help educators plan and reflect on what they are doing to meet the needs of high-ability learners.

The William and Mary Classroom Observation Scales is also part of the training for coaches.  This tool looks at general teaching behaviors in curriculum planning and delivery, differentiated teaching behaviors regarding how accommodations are made for individual differences, and the implementation of problem solving strategies, critical thinking strategies, creative thinking strategies, and research strategies.   This helps coaches guide their participants as they become more proficient in meeting the needs of the high-ability students in their classrooms.