Supporting Literacy Coaches

A couple weeks before school started, I wrote a post about the latest version of my conferring notebook. I received an encouraging comment from a first year literacy coach named Beth. Her comment reminded me of how challenging my first few years were as a literacy coach. Let’s just say, I remember crying a lot and wondering why I thought I could do this insane job. I learned quickly that coaches often lived under a microscope. Teachers watched what I did and didn’t do both in and out of the classroom. Teachers watched if I showed up for bus duty on time. Teachers wondered if I had more planning time than they did. They noticed if I arrived for appointments on time and how well prepared I was. And teachers talked about their noticings with one another. That’s the way it was and that’s the way it still is. You cannot be a wimp and be a literacy coach.

Literacy coaching is kind of a strange job. And effective coaches need a lot of support. I’m not sure I’ve ever talked to another coach outside of my own district that had job duties identical to mine. Even among coaches in my own district, there is variation based on the needs of the students and teachers of the school we may be working in. But after eleven years of working with adult learners, the two things I know for sure is that coaching is about building relationships and coaches should never be evaluators. Coaches cannot build relationships with co-professionals if they are viewed as evaluators. I try to focus my conversations with teachers, at least initially, on their students. And it makes sense. The concept of coaching came from the idea that teachers and classroom practice have a significant impact on student achievement. If I can assist a teacher to find joy and success in their teaching, children benefit. 
A sampling of stuff currently
piled on my desk at home.
But if coaches are there to support teachers and kids, who props up the coach? Professional development and collaboration with other literacy coaches helps. But sometimes you just need someone to talk to, have coffee with, or cry with.  So, to Beth and any other first year literacy coaches out there, since I can't meet you at Starbucks or Panera and talk, here is my short list of things for you to think about as you dive over the cliff into coaching  :
·        Follow through and show up on time.

·        It is more important to present yourself as a learner than trying to act like the “expert.”

·        Spend as much time as possible living in classrooms and working with kids rather than sitting at your computer.

·        When you feel discouraged or beaten down, focus on helping children know how brilliant they are. Kids are the best medicine for an ailing literacy coach.

·        Teachers have reasons for EVERYTHING they do. Don’t make assumptions and don’t pass judgment.

·        Keep growing your own knowledge. There is ALWAYS more to learn!

14 comments:

  1. It's tough when you take a position that others look at as "above them" or administrative or they think the job is to judge them. I think your list of things to think about is great! Especially the ones that lead back to kids!

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  2. Diana, thank you, thank you for the great list & all the words of advice. I agree with you that we walk this odd tightrope in our work, and the perception that we might evaluate is present. It would be fun to go to Starbucks sometime, wouldn't it, to talk about the things we do, and the things we wish we could do, also? From your earlier posts, it seems that everyone should appreciate all that you do with them and for them. I hope they realize that you have a position that didn't used to "be", and now they have you. Best wishes for a very good year!

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  3. Your list is a good reminder to everyone, not just coaches. Someone else's job always looks easier when you don't understand the demands of the job. Your teachers are lucky, I hope they know it.

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  4. Such wise advice for Beth that all coaches can learn from. I'm going to post this on the TWT Facebook Page later today since I think other coaches really need to read your list! The two tips that really resonated with me were: "It is more important to present yourself as a learner than trying to act like the 'expert.'
    Kids are the best medicine for an ailing literacy coach."
    Also, I think your statement about the idea that coaches should never be evaluators is so important. I've seen coaches cross that line before and it NEVER works out well for anyone.

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  5. What great advice for new lit coaches and regular teachers. I think teachers can be afraid of coaches, too--fear of being judged. Once they realize all the things you do, your coaching will pay off. So many variables--not for the faint of heart, I agree. Thanks to all the coaches out there.

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  6. Are you writing a book about coaching? I would read it. Your encouraging and caring way of speaking appeals to me.

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  7. Great piece! Thanks for sharing your wisdom :). I'm right there with you because I'm still trying to figure out the intricacies of this non-cookie cutter position :). We should talk!

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  8. As a teacher, I want to work wherever you are.

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  9. @Christy - I think it would be a blast to work together! :) It would be so fun to get together and mull over lessons or share ideas.

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  10. @b-I wish we could talk too! I am very lucky. We have 2 literacy consultants and 2 other lit coaches in my district and we get together once a month to study professional books/articles and share lessons or ways to help struggling children. It is so helpful to be able to connnect with other coaches.

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  11. @Stacey - Thank so much! The whole business of a coach not being an evaluator is so huge.

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  12. @Linda- wouldn't it be fun if we could meet at Starbucks before school and just chat? I would love to hear about all the things you are doing. :)

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  13. Diana, I'd love it too. Maybe we'll find a way? And-see my answer to you about seeds on my blog.

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  14. You have described your position and the job well. I was almost a coach until budgeting fell apart and I worried about the things you write about. You are a wonderful resource.

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