Teaching and Learning Coaches (TLC)
In an effort to continue to improve teaching in the Joplin School District, beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, the district will employ instructional coaches. Three instructional coaches, or as we call them in Joplin - Teaching and Learning Coaches (TLCs), will work with the entire faculty at Joplin High School. The TLCs will assist Joplin High School teachers with curriculum development, classroom instruction, data analysis, and mentoring.
According to Joyce and Showers (1981), “coaching involves a collegial approach to the analysis of teaching for the purpose of integrating mastered skills and strategies into: a) curriculum; b) set instructional goals; c) a time span; d) a personal teaching” (p. 170). Coaching was also identified, by Joyce and Showers (1983), as a way to offer companionship, offer technical feedback to teachers, assist in analyzing applications, and provide support to teachers to adapt to students.
Over the past six years Joplin High School has steadily improved student performance on numerous achievement standards, including: state assessments, ACT and PLAN tests, and benchmark classroom assessments. The introduction of Teaching and Learning Coaches at JHS will help build a more solid foundation for all teachers to have additional job-embedded professional development opportunities in many different ways. Instructional coaches serve many capacities in a school or district, and the TLCs will be utilized depending on each teacher’s individual needs.
Teaching and Learning Coaches can serve the faculty at JHS in the following roles over the course of the next few years including but not limited to:
- Resource provider
- Data coach
- Curriculum specialist
- Classroom supporter
- Mentor
- Learning facilitator
- School leader
- Catalyst for change
These roles for instructional coaches, or TLCs, have all been successfully implemented in other districts with great success. The TLCs will be assisting staff in all of the roles listed (eventually) over the next several years. However, this year and next year the TLCs will focus mainly on resource assistance, mentoring, data analysis, and as a classroom support person. To find out more about instructional coaching go to the National Staff Development Council’s website at nsdc.org.
The Teaching and Learning Coaches at Joplin High School are:
Resources:
Joyce , B. & Showers B. (1981). Transfer of training: The contribution of coaching. Boston University Journal of Education.
Joyce , B. & Showers B. (1983). Power in staff development. ASCD.
