CFF+Coach

=What is the role of the CFF Coach?=
 * // Joellen Killion, Deputy Executive Director of Classrooms of the Future  //**

As a resource provider, the coach assists teachers with materials, tools, information, etc., to support classroom instruction. The resources provided could be links from the internet, materials shared from other teachers, wonderful research/articles that are relevant to teacher practices or ideas shared from other colleagues. Oftentimes, providing these resources help coaches cross the threshold into classrooms. || Coaches are the liaisons between research and practice, helping teachers learn to improve their practices in a reflective, supportive setting. As a data coach, the coach organizes and analyzes a school’s data facilitating conversations among the faculty. The coach supports teachers and administrators in using data to improve instruction on all levels. || The coach supports teachers by helping with the what of teaching. S/he helps teachers use the national, state and district curriculum standards to plan instruction and assessment. The coach collaborates and supports teachers in using the curriculum to analyze students’ strengths and target areas for improvement. Coaches need to understand how each curriculum is structured, i.e., thematic approaches, etc., and validate the content teachers’ expertise. The coach taps into the content expertise of the classroom teacher. || The coach supports teachers by helping with the how of teaching. S/he collaborates with teacher in designing instruction to meet the needs of all students. Multiple instructional strategies/processes are shared with teachers. The coach also coordinates with other specialists in the school to provide a seamless approach to the educational processes in the school, supporting the idea that literacy is a process, not content. The coach must maintain confidentiality and be responsive to the territorial limitations of teachers’ classrooms. || As a classroom supporter, a coach is a co-planner, a co-teacher and a feedback provider. The role is varied including co-planning units of study, providing over the shoulder coaching, participating in co/team teaching, modeling lessons, encouraging reflective practice, helping with assessments, co-creating classroom management techniques which support instruction and facilitating after visitation discussions. The coach helps facilitate discussions resulting in the collaborative, reflective, accountable, self-evaluative and participative practices that support the educational processes of all students and teachers. || As a mentor, the coach is a critical friend supporting all teachers, novice and experienced. S/he provides guidance and structure where needed, encouraging relationship building among colleagues. A mentor focuses on teachers’ strengths, collaborating and discussing common issues of concern and is a shoulder to bounce off ideas and concerns. ||
 * [[image:ticket.jpg width="173" height="113"]] || ==Resource Provider==
 * [[image:data.jpg width="166" height="156"]] || ===Data Coach===
 * [[image:curriculum.jpg width="176" height="169"]] || ===Curriculum Specialist===
 * [[image:comp.jpg width="184" height="184"]] || ===Instructional Specialist===
 * [[image:chalk.jpg width="197" height="197"]] || ===Classroom Supporter===
 * [[image:mentor.jpg width="175" height="175"]] || ===Mentor===