Your Insight
You have been asked to mentor a literacy coach who is currently in his/her first year in SCRI-HS.
Having just experienced the first semester with your own study group, what words of wisdom, practical suggestions, “do’s and don’t’s” will you share about recruiting for, organizing, a facilitating a study group?
Having just experienced the first semester with your own study group, what words of wisdom, practical suggestions, “do’s and don’t’s” will you share about recruiting for, organizing, a facilitating a study group?
posted by Diane Starnes @ 3:13 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE! Organize your reading resources, writing materials, reflections, responses, etc. When you have your study group class, have a Plan A, B, and C. Be ready for Murphy's Law, including those technical difficulties that come your way. Once your system has been set up, maintain it. Keep good records, check your data (gains and losses), and let your principal know where you are at all times.
Take the time to set up a binder with your accomplishments--e-mails, newletters, agendas, press releases, etc. Its easy to maintain and very impressive when you have visitors!
A new literacy coach should remember that real, systemic change takes time. One thing I, and many of my colleagues, have been guilty of this year is wanting vast change immediately. Largely due to the test score panic, we are all searching for ways to prove that our work in our respective buildings is positively impacting student achievement. We have to remember to be reasonable in our expectations and trust the model.
When scheduling your study group, think about getting enough hours in throughout the year so that you can omit a December meeting. December tends to be a very hectic time with the holidays, end of the semester/exams, various parties, etc. My teachers seemed to really appreciate not having to meet during that time.
Try to make sure after each study group meeting, teachers have something they can immediately turn around and use in their classrooms. Teachers seem to appreciate this and feel like they are learning so much each week.
Remember that is only your first year! Take the time to find out what your school really needs. Look at data, talk to teachers, administrators, media specialist and students. Take the time to build trust in your study group and your school. Don't compare yourself to other coaches. Every school and coaching situation is different.
ALWAYS be open to new learning!
Carve out time to plan for your study group. You need to plan for it just as much as you did for your student classes. Remember that the study group is the heart of SCRI and plan for this special group of folks.
If you are offering graduate credit, be sure to make sure folks understand that the institution granting the credit has requirements that you must enforce such as attendance, tardiness, assignment deadlines, etc… so that you do not have to play the heavy later on. All people take the path of least resistance and even your colleagues will “get away” with things if they can.
The most important thing you can do with this group of folks is build community. This will be the foundation for all learning. I had great success for our December meeting (we had only one) was a celebration dinner in which we took turns reading our literacy memoirs. We laughed together, cried together, and admired the talent we all possess. It was a wonderful bonding experience that I can’t wait to do again!
test test test
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Post a Comment
<< Home