My First Few Months as a Math Coach

It has been a rewarding few months, in my new position as K-4 Math Coach.

I wanted to share with you what I've been doing. There are a few components to my coaching model.

The majority of my time is spent in the classroom with teachers for a 2 week block of time. What that means is, I work with 2-4 teachers at one school (or close proximity) for two weeks. We begin our block together with some planning time. I have spent 1 hour-3 hours with each teacher to set goals for the time we will spend together.This day of planning is at the beginning of the "block". Once our goals are set, I begin by modeling lessons using the outcomes that the classroom teacher has requested. The lessons have embedded assessment and various strategies are modeled.Some teachers want to see"Before-During-After" lessons while others want "PODS" modeled.Each lesson begins with a pre-conference and ends with a post -conference. Often we need to be creative in finding the time for this important conference time. I integrate technology as often as I can. This may include the use of the SMART board, computers, flip video, or digital camera for establishing word wall vocabulary.

After a few days of modeled lessons, it turns into co-teaching and then observational feedback.

I feel that having a "block" of consecutive days with a teacher it is more beneficial that sporadic days here and there.

Another major component to my coaching model is ongoing professional development. Every Wednesday, I lead a Workshop Wednesday. It takes place after school from 4:00-5:30 p.m.

We have a very large school division, so I facilitate the same workshop topic in each of the five quadrents, to minimize teacher travel and to make as easy as possible for teachers to attend.

To this date, I have had two topics: Getting Organized in the Mathematics Classroom (this included planning using the backwards approach) and Planning a Math Parent Night.

Topics come from teacher surveys. I have had a majority of teachers wanting the topic of Assessment. From this interest, I research and try to create a valuable workshop for the teachers.

A few other components to my coaching model are monthly newletters,staff meeting presentations, this blog, lots of mail correspondence, and collecting and sending resources out to teachers.

I have started a library of children's literature that pertain to mathematics, as well, purchasing a large variety of math manipulatives and teacher resources.

I have been documenting my journey by using a teacher self reflection, personal reflection notes and I am trying to gather student data. It is difficult to assess my two week block, so this is something that I will ponder and make changes to during the year. It is my first year as math coach and I do not have another math coach to work with. I do hope that I can connect with other coaches around the province, country or even from other countries.

If you are a K-4 math coach and would like to share ideas of success and road blocks, please contact me:

smuir@mail.gssd.ca