A group of certified reading specialists, along with myself, initiated the literacy coach program at my school four years ago.  It has since evolved in combination with our new teacher mentor program, in which we mentor our 1st – 4th year teachers.   Below is a very brief overview of the coaching relationship.  

Why do we have a literacy coaching program, anyway?!

• Improving literacy is a school-wide responsibility.
• Literacy coaches provide concrete strategies to empower teachers and students.
• Teachers will be using a ‘common language’ about learning strategies.
• Literacy focus allows for development of focused formative assessments in all content areas.
• The experience helps teachers more easily identify potential weaknesses in comprehension.

PHS Literacy Coach Program OVERVIEW

Below are the minimal suggestions.  Coaches and mentees will work together to individualize schedules to best meet the needs of the teacher.

1st  Year Teacher Coaches:  

• Within first week, introductions to Elite 8 literacy strategies; distribution of Literacy Strategies binder
• Meet with teacher on as-needed basis (usually weekly emails and bi-weekly meetings)
• Also, observe in classroom once per semester (complete observation sheet)
• Have teacher observe your class once per semester

2nd Year Teacher Coaches:

• 4 meetings/ 2 periods each (October, December, February, April)  Literacy coaches take turns volunteering to host these.
• Coaches hosting are invited to add pertinent mini-topics along with the Elite 8 listed below (i.e. how to transfer a document to an ereader)
• Observe in classroom once per semster (complete observation log)

Friday, Oct 4            Periods 1 – 2        Summarize/Visualize

Friday, Dec 6           Periods 3 – 4        Question/Monitor

Friday, Feb 8           Periods 5 – 6         Predict/Infer

Friday, April 5          Periods 7 – 8         Visualize/Evaluate

3rd & 4th Year Teacher Coaches:.

• Help develop teacher evaluation portfolio
• Suggestion from last year’s 2nd year teachers:  Coaches create a “research” assignment that the 3rd & 4th yr teachers will have to prepare in preparation for their portfolios
• Have the teacher observe your class once per semester (complete observation sheet)
• One co-taught lesson per semester

One final note:  Literacy experts out there in my PLN, I would truly value your feedback and suggestions.  Thanks in advance!