Weekly Coaching Communication
Make it a great day -- every day!
27 November -- 01 December 2017
Hats off to you!
Here's the past week's amazement:
- Iowa Assessments are done! Teachers thank you for being flexible and working together to administer these standardized tests.
- Way to Go, CPU HIGH SCHOOL -- congrats on the BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL nomination! A true reflection of the difficult work and continuing the practice of what is best for kids.
- Congrats to all the homerooms for being in the Thanksgiving spirit and decorating doors - the color and the decoration are a nice addition to the hallways.
- Thank you to all of you for completing the IC survey -- your feedback is much appreciated.
- Hopefully the Thanksgiving break provided some time for some reflection and refreshment -- we all have much for which we can be thankful.
#nobetterplacetowork
Pope's Professional Learning -- Sharing to Build Capacity
Jim Knight's _Better Conversations_
Knight spoke on the beliefs and habits of people who are invested in having better conversations. In all my years of teaching and coaching, this is the first time that I had an opportunity to learn just as much about my personal practices as much as I did my professional practices with conversations. For now, I will just share day #1 of the learning, the six beliefs:
6 BELIEFS
I see others as equal partners in conversations -- We all have a right to be heard and a right to offer our thoughts;
I believe people should have a lot of autonomy -- Professionalism has a present characteristic of continuous improvement; current, best practice is what is necessary for having a better understanding of what is needed;
I want to hear what others have to say -- All the voices need to be heard; my message is not as effective if the other side is not heard;
I don’t judge my conversation partners -- Forgiving means not judging others or yourself;
Conversation should be back and forth
Co-constructed form of conversation
Humility -- be open to another perspective
Hope -- dialogue is about a better possible future
Faith -- believe the other person has something to contribute or to teach me; approach the person as a learner
Critical Thinking -- dialogue is a mechanism for the meeting of the minds
Love -- a sense of respect for one another to have their best interests at heart; want the other person to flourish;
Conversation should be life-giving/life-affirming -- See the person . . . put the device aside and really see the person and be present.
The two beliefs that resonated with me are that 1) I want to hear what others have to say, and 2) conversations should be co-constructed and need to go back and forth. Based on the feedback from the IC survey and my own experiences as a coach, I see how much teachers value having a thought partner and knowing that they are being heard, especially when it comes to the implementing of standards-based learning and grading.
As a coach, I want to be that thought partner but understand the need to serve as a sounding board, as well. However, sometimes a vent does not always lead to a better understanding or a change in practice. I want to provide teachers with a partner in conversation, not necessarily to move mountains, but to help with whatever obstacle or process is in view.
Of the 6 beliefs, which resonate with you?
Next week I will continue to share the learning with the ten habits that can lead to better conversations.
Science Team Learns to Use Models for Instruction
The theme of the day addressed the idea of shifting students from learning about things to figuring out things. The difference between the two is a shift in the teaching, the learning and the curriculum. To accomplish this shift, we identified a need to understand what will be best practice for an inquiry model of learning, that students still need guidance to ensure they are meeting the content standards, and a need for transparency with the community.
Our day focused on inquiry (teaching students to ask questions and use questions to investigate a phenomena) and three dimensions of assessment (content, cross-cutting concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices).
Teachers practiced identifying the three dimensions of an assessment and discussing the purposes and needs for the dimensions. Several resources were also provided to help teachers modify assessments and provided a protocol for making adjustments to assessments.
Most other content areas, such as math and English, have already gone through this process, some even years ago. Regardless, this learning is integral to understanding the content standards and incorporating them into teaching practice.
Keep up the good work Science Team!
Coaching Schedule -- see Google Calendar for specific "Busy" times **schedule subject to change**
Monday, 27 November
- 9:00 - 10:00 AM IXL Website & Planning MTG w/ Sharon Vaupel @ MS
- Serve Teachers & Students
- Research & Resources
Tuesday, 28 November
- Serve Teachers & Students
- Research & Resources
Wednesday, 29 November
- Blended Learning Team @ GWAEA -- ALL DAY
Thursday, 30 November -- PTCs -- EARLY OUT
- Serve Teachers & Students
- Research & Resources
- 12:30 - 1:15 PM IC/Principal MTG
Friday, 01 December
- 7:30 - 8:20 AM Instructional Coaches Christmas Breakfast @ Intermediate
- Serve Teachers & Students
- Research & Resources
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM IC Mtg -- High-Impact Instruction Book Study
- 1:00 - 3:30 PM IC Team w/ Program Leads Data Mtg @ Primary
ARCHIVE LINKS
Click on the link to access 2015-16 prior weekly communications.
Pope's IC Weekly Communication Archive & Index 2016-17
Click on the link to access 2016-17 prior weekly communications.
Pope's IC Weekly Communication Archive & Index 2017-18
Click on the link to access 2016-17 prior weekly communications.
Contact Information
Center Point - Urbana CSD
Email: epopenhagen@cpuschools.org
Phone: 319-849-1102+91015
Twitter: @Epopenhagen