We are the fifteen AUSD Instructional Coaches and we are each a part of the elementary school sites (Fun Fact: each Dual Immersion school has two coaches). We each find an enormous amount of comfort, and pride, in knowing that we each have fourteen counterparts that are in the same position. Together, we regularly collaborate and push each other to constantly grow. Though we all possess different experiences, cultural backgrounds, skill sets, interests, and personalities, we all strive to do the same job.
“So, what exactly is your job?” This question is often asked of AUSD Instructional Coaches. One would think that the response is complex, but it really isn’t. Instructional Coaches are teachers: we are your peers. We plan, just like you do. We look at data, just like you do. We gather resources, just like you do. We think about effective instructional practices, just like you do. We are supervised by our site administrators, just like you are. We want students to have a rich educational experience, just like you do. We are a part of a school community, just like you. We have a passion for teaching, just like you.
The big difference between an Instructional Coach and a classroom teacher, is that rather than being a direct service to students, our intention is to have an impact on student learning by partnering with teachers, who want/need our support. This support is instructional coaching. Coaching might be deep conversations with teachers about their craft and asking questions that encourage reflection on practices and self reflection in the actions a teacher takes. Coaching might be working side by side with a teacher to plan for, critically thinking through an instructional “stuckness”, or a newer program/approach. Coaching might be the opportunity to work with a teacher in “real time” - in the classroom with students, to observe, support, model lessons and then follow up with discussions that again prompt reflection on practices, or self reflection decisions made. Coaching is also collaborating with grade level teams in a professional learning community (PLC) on a weekly basis. Instructional Coaches facilitate collaboration among grade level teams to discuss their instructional ongoings and push for the endless search for best practices weekly. We guide our PLC’s by questioning:
What do we want students to learn?
How will we know if they have learned it?
What do we do if they have not learned it?
What if the student already knows the content?
Much like teachers within their classroom among their students, we experience a variety of personalities, talents, and perspectives, and we do our best to get familiar and work with each. We maneuver through various grade levels to try and fill the instructional needs of our fellow teachers, and students, by knowing standards, resources and expectations. We too do our best to stay current on the ever-changing worlds of technology resources, online platforms, and websites. We often take deep dives into instructional approaches, programs and strategies, in search of the instructional gems that will shine in classrooms. Oftentimes, we have the pleasure of learning from other teachers and spreading the word of the effective practices that would otherwise go unknown. We collaborate both with teachers and administrators to evaluate our site's progress on school/district goals and push to do better as a whole school. We are mindful that on a daily basis, that our job offers us the privilege to work with people: individuals with feelings, thoughts and values and for the betterment of our students' learning.
So, what exactly is our job? We are the fifteen AUSD Instructional Coaches: we work like you, with you, and always for AUSD students.
