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Instructional Coaching for Educational Excellence
Elizabeth Coleman and Natalie Warden shared an evident passion for their craft as instructional coaches at Sacred Heart Schools at the January 31, 2018 "Coffee with the Coaches," the first of a series of events offered to showcase the outcomes of the Masterpiece Campaign. The instructional coaching program is one way that the Masterpiece Campaign's Initiative for Excellence in Teaching and Learning supports Sacred Heart's commitment to creating a culture of growth for the entire community.
Dr. Coleman and Ms. Warden described how they serve our faculty by providing onsite, personalized professional development to teachers. Full-time, onsite coaching is rarely seen at the grade school or high school level. Dr. Coleman and Ms. Warden applauded Sacred Heart Schools for making this program a priority.
While faculty members are regularly evaluated by their Division Head, coaching is not prescriptive or intended to "fix" teachers, but rather is "asset-based" and an opportunity for teachers to optimize their strengths as they seek to further develop as teachers. It was noted that the existence of an instructional coaching program is one asset that can help SHS attract—and keep—the best faculty.
It is estimated that 25% of Sacred Heart's nearly 80 teachers are currently engaged in "long-term coaching," a session that may last a semester or year. Many other teachers regularly participate in one or two sessions to address specific concerns or short-term goals. An additional benefit of the Schools' instructional coaching program has been the creation of several peer-led "Professional Learning Communities" where teachers who have experienced instructional coaching assist one another.
To learn more about Instructional Coaching, read more here or listen to the coaches' episode on the Heart of Sheridan Road podcast.
If you have any questions, or to RSVP for upcoming events, please contact Anne Marie Tirpak (773.681.8401), Director of Institutional Advancement.
Save the dates for our next Masterpiece Coffees:
Wednesday, March 28, 2018, 8-9 am, Driehaus Center
Dissecting Differentiation: How Does Sacred Heart Do It?
Marjie Murphy, Sacred Heart's Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Karen Uselmann, our Student Services Team Coordinator, will discuss differentiation and The Learning Center.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 8-9 am, Driehaus Center
The Third Teacher
Join teachers, staff and students to learn about our new and planned learning environments to support education and play, including plans for summer work on the Sheridan Road and interior playgrounds. Primary School Division Head, Lisa Zimmer, will share about innovative learning in the STEAM Lab.
