Peer Coaching Dr. Barbara Gottesman Chair (retired), Educational Leadership Author of Peer Coaching for Educators

Purposes of Peer Coaching Professionals on the same level observing each other Improvement of teaching strategies Improvement of analytical skills Implementation of a new program Refining skills

Mottos No praise, no blame. No judgment, no evaluation Dragnet’s Joe Friday: “Just the facts, ma’am!”

Internalization of New Learning research of Joyce and Showers Short term memory Long term memory THEORY 20% 5% DEMONSTRATION 35% 10% MODELING & GUIDED PRACTICE 70% FEEDBACK 80% 25% COACHING 90%

Peer Coaching 1. Request for a Visit 2. The Visit 3. Reflecting Alone: Coach reviews notes and list some possibilities & Teacher reviews intent of lesson plan 4. Reflecting Together: The Talk after the Visit 5. Debriefing: Process Review 14 Q & A

Checklist for 1. Request for a Visit __ What do you want me to observe? __ specific concern defined __ coach narrows concern to observable __confidentiality established __no judgment or evaluation __ type of lesson, objective of lesson

Request for a Visit checklist __data gathering device: both decide __ seating chart __location of observer __time, place __time for the Reflecting Together: Talk after the Visit

The Visit - Checklist __request for observation written at top of page __starting & ending time __method used to gather data __no judgment or evaluation

Reflecting Alone: the Coach reviews notes & lists possibilities __ reviews data, deletes any comments __decides how to present data gathered __ lists 3 prompts on Coaching Form #1 to get peer to start talking __ prompts to get peer to analyze data __lists 3 possibilities for improvement (real coaching) if peer is ready (Coaching From #2)

Coaching Form #1 This is what my peer asked me to observe: __________________________________. Probing questions to get peer to analyze data: 1. ______________________________ 2. ______________________________ 3. ______________________________

Coaching Form #2 Suggestions for improvement if my peer is ready for real coaching: 1. _________________________________ 2. _________________________________ 3. _________________________________

Reflecting Together on Practice: The Talk after the Visit __ seating arrangement __opening statement: repeat Request __ coach walks through the specific written data collected during the observation __coach asked prepared probing questions __ peer begins to analyze data

Talk after the Visit * - Reflecting Together on Practice __ no praise or blame __coach continues probing questions until peer asks for suggestions for improvement __coach verbalizes suggestions in non-judgmental fashion __coach and peer decide upon next steps

Debriefing: Process Review 14 Q & A 1. Did the process work? Why? 2. Who talked the most? Why? 3. Were there any judgments or evaluations made? By whom? 4. Did the process include praise or blame?

Debriefing……. 5. Was the relevant data written down by the coach? 6. Was the written data related to the Request? 7. Did the coach’s probing questions lead the peer to analyze his own lesson?

Debriefing…… 8. Would another data-gathering measure have been more effective? 9. Will this session lead to improvement of instruction?

Debriefing…. Who benefits most from coaching? Will the peers exchange places and coach again?

Gradual Steps: Phase in Peer Coaching? Peer Watching Peer Feedback Peer Coaching

Start with Peer Watching 1. Make 4 visits to another classroom 2. Record visits on calendar 3. No feedback 4. Video tape self 4 times…….and watch the tape! Great for novices and veterans!

Peer Feedback 1. All involved go over rules and understandings for Peer Coaching 2. Observe and record data 4 times. 3. Share data and facts. 4. No coaching: just the facts: ma’m!

True Peer Coaching Review rules of Peer Coaching Establish trust and confidentiality Do 4 exchanges with feedback of recorded data AND suggestions for improvement….which is true coaching.

Advanced Coaching Costa & Garmston, Cognitive Coaching Content Coaching Real - Time Peer Coaching