K-12 Educators: Literacy Coaches

Research tells us that teacher quality does matter. In numerous research studies, teacher expertise has been identified as one of the most important factors in determining student achievement. Professional development plays an important role in developing and maintaining teacher expertise.

• Research provides evidence that intensive professional development can help teachers increase their knowledge and change their instructional practices (Borko, 2004).
• Teachers must have access to the latest research and the best available practices with opportunities to implement those practices in the classroom (Borko, 2004).
• Teachers must have opportunities to learn and work together. There is strong evidence that professional learning communities can foster teacher learning and instructional practice (Borko, 2004).
• Teachers need time to reflect on what they are learning. Reflection creates the foundation for assessing situations and making rational decisions. Reflection also allows teachers to make connections between theory and practice (Conderman & Morin, 2004).
• Professional development should be grounded in the teacher's questions or inquiry (Hammond, 1999).
• Professional development for teachers should be sustained and intensive, supported by modeling, coaching, and problem solving around specific problems of practice (Hammond, 1999).
• Professional development should be connected to teachers' work with their students, examinations of subject matter, and teaching methods (Sparks, 2000).

Coaches provide professional development to teachers at the school site and/or at the district level on a daily basis. FOR-PD is committed to providing coaches with quality resources to assist with teacher professional development and follow-up.

Providing Follow-Up to Teachers Taking FOR-PD

We recommend the following ideas for follow-up with teachers taking the FOR-PD Course.

• Classroom visitation of a master teacher using a new practice or strategy along with debriefing;
• Classroom demonstration lessons with a debriefing session;
• Reading an article on the new strategy and discussing it with colleagues;
• Reviewing sample lesson plans and adapting them for the classroom;
• Co-planning and co-teaching lessons with a coach or knowledgeable peer;
• Planning with a study group that focuses on implementing new practices;
• Videotaping a lesson and requesting collegial review and feedback;
• Problem-solving implementation issues; and
• Self-assessing new practices using a rubric or Innovation Configuration.

Resources for Coaches

The following two presentations will familiarize you with the resources available from FOR-PD.

• Resources to Help Sustain Elementary Teachers' Reading Expertise
• Resources to Help Sustain Secondary Teachers' Reading Expertise

The following are links to FOR-PD resources that may be valuable to coaches.

Publications

• FOR-PD Literacy Newsletter - The purpose of this newsletter is to provide current literacy information, news, and information about happenings across the state. The Literacy Newsletter highlights literacy resources, professional resources, student books, and includes a monthly text set. Important course participant information is also shared. FOR-PD dedicates a portion of each month's newsletter to literacy coaches.
• FOR-PD Reading Strategy of the Month - Every month FOR-PD posts a research-based reading strategy. The strategy is explained, directions on how to use the strategy are provided, ideas for adapting the strategy are explained, assessment tips are shared, and examples are provided from elementary and secondary levels. FOR-PD has accumulated quite a collection of strategies you can share with your teachers. Check out all the strategies on the Reading Strategy Archive Page.
• FOR-PD Project Update - The FOR-PD Project Update is a comprehensive summary of key project elements, activities, and resources.

eStore

• Instructional Literacy Posters. These posters are available free of charge to Florida coaches and teachers and are a great resource for professional development and follow-up.

FOR-PD Website

• Registration Information - Do you have teachers interested in taking FOR-PD? This page will provide up to date registration information.
• Resource Database - Looking for online resources? Check our Resource Database.
• Reading Reminders - The Reading Reminders review the key points in each lesson of the course.
• Interviews with Experts - The FOR-PD Project actively seeks interviews with literacy experts across the state on topics related to the course. These interviews can be used with teachers.
• Information for Parents