ISI Coaching Information

Invitational Summer Institute Information
A Guide to Coaching

Coaching as a strategy is generalizable to many of the tasks writing projects encourage: asking TCs to reflect, deliberate, and make choices about their practices.
A good coaching session is like a positive writing response group session. The creator of the piece should leave with positive encouragement, more possibilities to consider, alternate suggestions for revision, and a clearer understanding of his/her goals.
Good coaching encourages revision and conversation on how to share practices with peers in professional, engaging ways. Coaching doesn’t tell a teacher how to organize or present a workshop; rather, coaching elicits possibilities and refection from the coached.
The relationship between the coach and the coached is one of support and consultation, not evaluation and critique. Rather than provide suggestions, coaches ask probing questions.
The final decisions rest with the presenter, not on the coach; the coach is not responsible for the success or weaknesses of the workshop.

What do you want the audience to know about your best practice (an approach pertinent to multiple subjects and grade levels, a practice that informs a lesson rather than a mere activity, the application of a concept)?
How does your demonstration showcase your best practice rather than your best lesson?
What do you want your audience to take away from your demonstration that can improve their practice?
How much of your demonstration actively involves the participants?
Have you acknowledged the experience and knowledge your audience brings to your presentation?
What would happen if:
- you rearranged the order of your workshop?
- you left our parts and emphasized a narrower focus?
- you relied more on participant involvement?
How else might you accomplish your goals?
What is the most important information you want to impart?
How long do you think this will last?
What time constraints have you acknowledged?
What strategies do you plan to use to rehearse and check your timing?

Costa, Arthur L., and Robert J. Garmston. Cognitive Coaching: A Foundation for Renaissance Schools. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon Publishers, 1994.
Gray, James. "An Excerpt from Teachers at the Center." The Voice (6): 13.
Sharp, Peggy A. "The ‘Never-Evers’ of Workshop Facilitation." Journal of Staff Development 13 (1992): 38-40.

Updated: 05.16.10