3 More Ways Innovation Coaches Make Your Job Easier
Research and examples on the impact of this increasingly popular educational profession.
Last week, we started exploring the role of innovation coaches in American schools and the ways they can benefit teachers. In addition to acting as thought partners, co-teachers and coaches, innovation coaches bring to the table a wealth of skills and knowledge to help you in your educational practice.
Innovation coaches stay current on educational technology and design philosophy.
In our district, our innovation coach cohort works hard to keep pace with the dizzying changes in the educational technology landscape. Our credentials include Google Certified Educator, Google Certified Trainer, Google Innovator, Flipgrid Ambassador, EdTech Team Presenter, Cognitive Coaching, Design Thinking and more. You’ll likely find this is the case in your own district as well.
How does this make your job easier?
You have a team of professionals whose primary focus is ensuring that you have high quality training in the latest software and tools that are being adopted in classrooms across the country. Because the students we teach live in a world infused with technology, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that they have the skills they need to navigate the world safely and successfully. Not only do we have expertise on the technological side of things, but we have training in methodologies like Design Thinking and Cognitive Coaching, helping you to design your curriculum and classroom from the student’s perspective and guiding you through the tapping into and maintaining your resourcefulness as an educator.
Make no mistake: the case for teaching the way you’ve always done it is a sound one, especially if your track record is strong. But a trusting relationship with an innovation coach can help you identify which practices can be augmented to best serve our students in an ever-changing world in ways that preserve your autonomy and efficacy as an outstanding teacher.
LuAnne Oklobzija is an innovation coach in many WBLAS elementary schools. LuAnne has worked very closely with teachers to design lessons that teach students how to create their own websites that share their love of reading:
“Last year LuAnne and I collaborated on a Wild Reader website for each of my students. We brainstormed the types of things students would include on their website such as book recommendations, top ten lists, recordings of the student reading their favorite poems and a blog about the books they read. LuAnne created lessons to teach students how to make their own website. Students added to their websites throughout the year. The website became a showcase for their literacy learning and students applied a lot of digital learning skills.”
Innovation coaches have honed unique skills.
We’re all beautiful snowflakes, right? No two are the same and all that? The same is true of your innovation coaches. In our district, for example, we have a 3rd grade teacher, a 5th grade teacher, a health/phy ed teacher, a Spanish teacher, and an instrumental music teacher. With over fifty combined years of teaching experience, we bring our own perspectives and expertise to the role of supporting your classroom instruction.
How does this make your job easier?
You may have been assigned an innovation coach based on your building or department, but that won’t stop you from building a solid relationship with someone who isn’t strictly your innovation coach. For example, if you are a world language teacher and are looking for deep expertise on the latest in language learning applications, an instrumental music teacher probably won’t have the best answer for you — but a Spanish teacher would!
We are a team with a vision of improving student and teacher outcomes through the infusion of innovative teaching practices. We all want you to succeed, so shoot an email to the person who can help you best.
Ryan Clark is an innovation coach at Central Middle School. He made an impact on students through their year-long Contemporary Issues study:
“When another teacher and I wanted to create a new semester final for our Honors Language Arts 9 class last year, we knew we wanted to create a project that was engaging, that encompassed all our students had learned through their year-long Contemporary Issues study, and that leveraged exciting technology components. We met with Ryan Clark, and he matched our enthusiasm for the project. He presented a variety of platforms and applications based on the vague description we had given him, and he talked us through how we could use each option to meet our needs. When we decided on a platform to use, Ryan helped us figure out exactly how we were going to present and implement it within our classrooms. He even offered to find ways to integrate collaborative revision, something not supported by the platform we selected but that we wanted to offer to students. The project was a great success, and we plan on using it again this year. I would never have found the technology we used on my own, so I’m grateful Ryan was there to guide us through the process.”
Innovation coaches are here for you.
Live, laugh, love, innovate. That’s how it goes, right? In all seriousness, your innovation coach is here to serve you. We are constantly working to ensure our schedules allow us to impact every teacher on our caseload. We fundamentally believe that all of our students deserve an innovative classroom where they are the primary agent of their own learning. This isn’t reserved for the students whose teachers have schedules and personalities that line up perfectly with their innovation coach. We really desire to get to know you, how best you teach, and the goals you have for yourself and your students.
How does this make your job easier?
We will come to you. We will set aside the time it takes to plan, teach, and reflect with you. We will help you uncover new strategies that improve student outcomes. We will provide professional development on topics you’re confused or nervous about.
And we will do it with a smile* and a sincere desire to make a difference for your students.
I can’t guarantee a smile before 9 am, but I’m working on that. Coffee helps.
Next week in Innovate 624, we’ll explore opportunities for professional development outside of your building. In the meantime, check out our latest infographic: 20 Ways Your Innovation Coach Can Help You!
