Classroom Based Coaching

Classroom Based Coaching is an idea that began as a way to help teachers find ways to meet the learning needs of their students. Some of whom have learning challenges and others that may be gifted.

Generally, school boards and districts try to help teachers by providing professional development. Usually this is done by offering one or two hour workshops given by professionals in the field.

This allows teachers to become aware of different learning styles and what's involved in differentiated instruction.

However, it does not really give them a feel for how to actually incorporate these strategies into their classroom.

This is where the idea of Classroom Based Coaching came into being.

Basically, it involves professionals going into the classroom with the teacher to give hands on help on how to differentiate the curriculum to better serve their students.

This brings the professionals into the classroom where they become the coach to the teacher.

They are able to observe the teachers first hand and make suggestions, discuss what works and what doesn't and answer questions teachers may have.

In this situation the professional, or coach, is directly involved with both teachers and students.

They are better able to assess the needs and strengths of both teachers and students within the classroom setting.

Teachers develop skills that help them arrange and put into practice curriculum that best meets the needs of more of the students.

Sitting in a workshop for two hours may be helpful but it cannot compare to hands on help and one on one interaction with the teacher.

Some teachers may find this intimidating at first, but they quickly see how valuable the one on one time with the professional within the classroom truly is.

Research on this method has shown an increased in student time on subjects and an improvement in their ability to meet the standards.

Teachers become better at developing strategies for differentiated learning that influence student's behaviour and performance in a positive way.

From Classroom Based Coaching to Teaching