Being the Most Effective IC Possible!

Recently I had the privilege of getting some face-time with the wonderful Mrs. Leigh Hudon! She is our Regional Coach and I could not feel more spoiled for having some focused time to work with her on our school's initiative: Increase the Volume of Reading.

During her almost-weeklong visit, we worked on researching ways to increase "time in text, time on tongue" with two specific classrooms (First Grade and Fifth Grade). We went into the classrooms and took observational notes. Next, we regrouped to discuss what we observed regarding time spent in texts. Then, we offered support through modeling with the First Grade classroom. Our focus points were: partnering up to read, preparing to read a text together, and different ways we can partner read. The students did an outstanding job of pairing up to read the text that we provided them (a very simple decodable).

Though this task took us two days (observing, then modeling and supporting with follow-up feedback), we spent some time reading research articles and discussing a plan on how to effectively utilize two Instructional Coaches across an elementary school ranging from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade, approximately 800 students! The following plan was developed. The intention was to allow an IC to focus in on a few grades, taking on the responsibility of communicating any new knowledge or passing on updates to all team members. Also, Coaching Cycles would take place within this range of grades, too. This will allow for more consistency and more of a dialed-in focus.

Since instituting this school-wide IC plan, I have been a more effective Instructional Coach to Kindergarten through Second Grade teachers. I have attended the majority of grade level meetings, offered a few different mini-PLC's to fit their needs, and made it my goal and purpose to visit, observe, support, and model in different classrooms in these grades. This has truly turned out to be a very effective plan in my opinion! It has provided me with more focus and purpose and I have grown as an educator and support to my teachers because of it.

School-wide IC Plan