A Guide to Literacy Coaching
Helping Teachers Increase Student Achievement
"A very hands-on approach to helping teachers, parents, students, and the community. Coaches are not only given the theory behind what they do, but also the knowledge of how to implement the research and theory."
—Emme Barnes, Literacy Facilitator
Hawk Ridge Elementary, Charlotte, NC
"This superior text clarifies the responsibilities, qualifications, and capabilities of the coach within and without the school and as a leadership partner."
—Connie Molony, Reading-Language Arts Specialist
Fargo Public Schools, ND
An essential guide to the "what" and the "how" of literacy coaching!
Literacy coaches regularly encounter practical and theoretical issues, ranging from decoding national and state coaching requirements to understanding how to work effectively with all students, including those with special needs. This practical guide presents effective coaching strategies and best practices for enhancing literacy instruction and student performance across all grade levels.
Ideal for individual or group professional development, this text covers skill requirements for coaching and describes four roles of effective coaches: facilitator, observer, colleague, and learner. Readers will find sample scenarios, advice from recognized literacy experts, and topic extensions for study groups, as well as:
- Information on NCLB, Reading First, and Reading Next requirements
- Insight into developing relationships with school administrators
- Tips for coaching difficult or noncompliant teachers
- Practical recommendations for first-year coaches
A Guide to Literacy Coaching illuminates the many practical strategies literacy coaches, mentors, teacher leaders, and staff developers can use to collaborate with multiple school constituencies to promote teacher development and schoolwide literacy success.
"The book outlines how effective coaching models can be implemented and is very clear about what a coach should be doing to perform their duties. The interviews with experts contain helpful information and lots of viewpoints."
"Contains a wealth of knowledge, techniques, report forms, checklists, and research to support someone working in literacy coaching."
"The book shows the differences between a reading specialist and a literacy coach and then goes on to explain all the work of a literacy coach."
"A very hands-on approach to helping teachers, parents, students, and the community. Coaches are not only given the theory behind what they do, but are given the knowledge of how to implement the research and the theory. As a coach who tries to stay on top of current research, I really enjoyed reading the various perspectives offered by the experts on the different topics. In addition, the discussion sections at the end of each chapter will be beneficial for people new to the profession or who are learning about this profession in graduate school."
"A valuable addition to the descriptive literature on the role of literacy coaches. This superior text clarifies the responsibilities, qualifications, and capabilities of the coach within and without the school and as a leadership partner."
"A terrific resource for reading coaches. It brings to light the need for certification or a means for getting qualified coaches. There aren't a lot of books on coaching, and I found this one to be very enlightening."
"From sample scenarios and coaching challenges to details on developing coaching relationships with school administrators, this book is packed with important coaching keys to success."