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INSTRUCTIONAL COACHEE �ORIENTATION

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AGENDA

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Norms &

Objectives

Instructional Coaching:

The “what”

Educator Principles

Instructional Coaching:

The “why”

Instructional Coaching:

The “how”

Questions

Wrap Up

Intro &

Good Vibes

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NORMS & � OBJECTIVES

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PD NORMS

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  1. Participate actively.
  2. Be fully present. Engage. Speak your truth.
  3. Own your energy, be mindful of your body language, and look for opportunities to spread joy.
  4. Give your best effort.
  5. Embrace feedback with a growth mindset.

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OBJECTIVES

Instructors and Fellows will be able to…

    • Understand the “why” behind our instructional coaching program, “what” exactly we will be doing, and “how” it will happen
    • Learn about the educator principles and how they will guide our coaching process

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INSTRUCTIONAL � COACHING:�WHY? HOW? WHAT?

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THINK-Pair-Share

What do you think of when you hear the word “coaching”? How does the thought of coaching make you feel?

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THE WHY

Ocean Discovery operates on a single premise: by receiving high quality science learning opportunities, kids in poverty develop a passion for science and conservation, stay in school, go to college, become scientists, and gain entry to high paying fields where they make a difference.

Because we believe quality teaching is essential to providing high quality science learning opportunities, we have developed the Instructor Training & Coaching to enable Ocean Discovery educators to provide powerful and robust instruction, and guide our students to Believe, Achieve and Lead.

 

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THE HOW

We are in the process of developing the tools, training, and coaching necessary to onboard, train, and develop our program staff to their fullest potential and consists of two parts:

Staff Training – a comprehensive process that begins with grounding new staff in our Education Foundation, program specific Education Guides based on program participation, safety training, and specific content training.

Coaching – a program of instructional leadership that supports staff in implementing programmatic curriculum and best pedogeological practices and strengthens and develops the practice of our continuing educators.

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COACHING

The purpose of coaching is to enhance the skills of our Instructor Core so they can provide robust instruction to our students while simultaneously developing their own skill set.

Each coaching cycle will focus on one Educator Principle, allowing instructors achieve to achieve “mastery” of one principle before advancing to a new principle.

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COACHING CYCLE

  • Observation (10-15 min)
  • Feedback (5-10 min)
  • Plan & Practice (30 min)

Total = ~ 1 hour every two weeks*

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COACHING / FEEDBACK

Coaching / Feedback can include the following:

    • Video-tape observation and reflect
    • Additional planning/practice time
    • Observation of fellow instructors
    • Facilitative coaching conversations
    • Live (in the moment) coaching

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EDUCATOR � PRINCIPLES

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ADAPTED FROM:

GETTING BETTER FASTER,

BEETLES PROJECT (LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE), &

THE ART OF COACHING

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EDUCATOR PRINCIPLES: WHY

The Educator Principles were developed to provide our instructors with a tool-box of consistent, effective and research-tested teaching strategies to provide high quality science programming and enhance student learning.

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SAMPLE OF EDUCATOR PRINCIPLES

  • Strong teacher stance
  • Circulate the room / break the plane
  • Clear and precise instructions
  • Wait for 100%
  • Attention Getters
  • Checks for understanding

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STRONG TEACHER STANCE

Educators must look the part - calm and collected. A strong teacher stance is critical to getting and maintaining the attention of your students.

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A strong teacher stance includes:

    • Squaring up and taking up space
    • Making eye contact
    • Using a strong clear voice and speaking slowly
    • Standing still when speaking
    • Keeping your face turned towards the students
    • Pausing for breaths
    • Smiling!

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PRACTICE

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CIRCULATE/BREAK THE PLANE

It is important for teachers to get comfortable with walking around their classroom while teaching. “Breaking the plane” simply refers to moving past the first row of desks/tables in the learning space.

This serves several purposes:

  • Create equality in the classroom (the students at the front of the room aren’t more important than the students at the back of the room)
  • Keeps students attention focused on you.
  • Keeps students from engaging in off task behavior.
  • Allows you to move closer to students who may seem to be “drifting” away without calling them out in front of their classmates.

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THINK-Pair-Share

Review from the summer – What are Clear & Precise Instructions, and why are they important?

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CLEAR AND PRECISE INSTRUCTIONS

It is important that you give clear and precise instructions so that students can make the most of their time with you. Research shows that students who don’t get started right away are often confused by unclear directions. Outline your directions BEFORE the start of a program.

Clear and precise instructions include:

    • An economy of language
    • Instructions that are given in sequential order
    • Pauses for comprehension between directions
    • What should be done if a student has a question
    • Defined time limits and spatial boundaries

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ATTENTION GETTERS

Students will often be excited when participating in Ocean Discovery programming. Attention getters are used to get the attention of a large group who may be engaged in conversation or an activity.

Attention Getters:

    • Should be used before giving directions or sharing information important to the whole group.
    • One or two should be established at the start of the day.
      • Consider incorporating a kinesthetic movement to remind students that you are asking them to quiet down.

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Share:

Attention-Getters

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WAIT FOR 100%

Teachers must get comfortable with waiting for the attention of ALL students before proceeding with content, directions, instructions, etc. Teachers who proceed with less than 100% attention inadvertently convey to their students that what they have to say isn’t important. Other students will notice this and over time it will become increasingly difficult to get the attention of you class.

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THINK-Pair-Share

What is the danger of not waiting for 100%? What does that communicate or not communicate to students?

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CHECKS FOR UNDERSTANDING

Once clear and precise instructions are given it is important to do a quick series of Checks for Understanding (CFU). CFU’s are questions designed to make sure your directions were understood BEFORE releasing students to work independently. These are short and should take no more than 1 minute (2-3 questions). Questions should focus on any parts of the directions you think will be confusing to students.

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VIDEO

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�WRAP UP

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(You made it!)

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QUESTIONS

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NEXT STEPS

  1. Coach will reach out to you to schedule an initial meeting
  2. Make sure to come prepared with your program schedule

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THANK YOU!