On November 16, representatives from nine local school districts gathered at Byron-Bergen Junior/Senior High School as part of a collaborative initiative in video instructional coaching, which is guided by the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP).
The Byron-Bergen Central School District began implementing the practice of instructional coaching two years ago. They have taken the lead in sharing information and experience with others in the group. Member districts include Alexander, Avon, Batavia City, GVEP, Livonia, Pavilion, Wyoming and York.
An instructional coach has one goal: to see that every student receives excellent instruction, every day, in every class. The coach works with teachers, helping them bring evidence-based practices into their classrooms, and provides supportive feedback and specific observations of their individual teaching practices.
The GVEP workshop opened with an introduction by the Director of Instructional Coaching Services, Jim Thompson. Thompson explained the genesis of the program at Byron-Bergen, which was championed by District Superintendent Mickey Edwards, along with past-superintendent Casey Kosiorek and Dr. Daniel Murray, Superintendent of York Central School.
It began with video coaching, which gave teachers the opportunity to improve their instruction by videotaping their classroom presentations. They were then able to consult with Thompson to analyze their effectiveness and understand their “glows” and “grows” – areas where they excelled, or where they could try something different.
The program at Byron-Bergen expanded last year with the addition of the Avatar Simulator, an online virtual classroom where teachers can practice and refine their instructional techniques by interacting with virtual students.
The instructional coaching approach depends on building a confidential, nonjudgmental relationship with a trusted mentor. The Partnership is now moving forward with training more instructional coaches, in order to spread the support to teachers at every participating district’s schools. At Byron-Bergen, teacher Diana Walther will take on the role at the Junior/Senior High School; teacher Deborah Slocum at the Elementary School.
Both teachers recently attended the 2016 Teaching Learning Coaching Conference in Dallas, Texas, along with Thompson, and Elementary School Assistant Principal Amanda Cook. They each shared a high point presentation from the conference with the whole group.
“Our mindset at Byron-Bergen is one of continuous growth. Instructional coaching is now part of the culture here,” said Superintendent Edwards. “This year, it is an option teachers can choose for their Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR). Over half of our high school teachers are participating, along with almost as many at the elementary school.”
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