We want to work with you!
Not another boring, irrelevant professional development.
Leaders, please don’t schedule another boring, irrelevant professional development for your staff.
You have planned them with hopes of improving teacher practices. Can you see the improved outcome? Are teachers excited about the next scheduled one? Have you seen improvements in your school’s report card over the years that can be linked to professional development? Despite these efforts, most teachers do not appear to improve substantially from year to year.
While we do know that professional learning (PL) is one of the most important investments schools can make, it is not effective, however, if learning communities are not targeted to meet the individual needs of teachers. Many times teachers participate in one-size-fit-all, drive-by PL’s that does nothing to enhance class instruction and student outcomes.
It is true that teachers need continued education to develop and acquire knowledge and skills to improve their class environment and instruction. Additionally, teachers need time to reflect on changes in their learning practices over time. Schools should have adequate preparation and training in order to retain their good teachers. We believe in training that is personalized and actionable! iCoach Teachers is ready to serve!
Our Professional Development beliefs are aligned with…
The Learning Policy Institute which conducted a 2017 study and identified seven widely shared characteristics of effective professional development. Effective Professional Development:
1 — Our content is focused
Professional development that focuses on teaching strategies associated with specific curriculum content supports teachers’ learning within their classroom contexts.
2 — We incorporate active learning
Active learning engages teachers directly in designing and trying out teaching strategies, providing them an opportunity to engage in the same style of learning they are designing for their students.
3 — We support collaboration
High-quality professional development creates space for teachers to share ideas and collaborate in their learning, often in job-embedded contexts.
4 — We use models of effective practice
Curricular models and modeling of instruction provide teachers with a clear vision of what best practices look like.
5 — We provide coaching and expert support
Coaching and expert support involve the one-on-one sharing of expertise about content and evidence-based practices, focused directly on teachers’ individual needs.
6 — We offer feedback and reflection
High-quality professional learning frequently provides built-in time for teachers to intentionally think about, receive input on, and make changes to their practice by facilitating reflection and soliciting feedback.
7 — We understand the need for sustained duration
Effective professional development provides teachers with adequate time to learn, practice, implement, and reflect upon new strategies that facilitate changes in their practice.
LindaDarling-Hammond, Maria E.Hyler, and Madelyn Gardner, with assistance from Danny Espinosza from the learningpolicyinstitute.org
iCoach Teachers…
We believe in content focused, purposeful professional development that supports teaching practices and student outcomes. We will work with you to :
1 — Identify the needs of teachers. This is done by conducting a needs-assessment, and/or discussing pre-identified needs from school leaders.
2 — Customize the PL to address the targeted needs. We plan customized high-quality activities for direct practice through collaboration, modeling, and coaching.
3 — Allow time for practice and application. Whether schools choose ongoing, sequenced or cumulative PLs, we want to make sure teachers are supported to improve both teaching and student outcomes.
iCoach Teachers is ready to serve!
More Relevant PD Options Are Available
We want to work with you! iCoach Teachers offers highly engaging professional development, workshops, seminars, in-services, and webinar opportunities on various topics; all are appropriate for teachers in grades K-12. We deliver customized high-quality and interactive professional development.
Workshops and trainings are flexible and are customized to fit your audience and can be followed by grade-level or individual consultations and strategic planning. They can be geared for student-teacher interns, new, and seasoned teachers and school personnel. Some training topics include preventing burnout, English Language Arts/literacy, classroom management, cultural responsive teaching, effective use of data (formative assessing), and maximizing instructional time with engaging strategies.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss how we can benefit your organization. Competitive pricing available for hourly, half-day, and full-day.
Classroom Management
Effective classroom management is not simply the absence of discipline problems, but an intentional set of practices and procedures that promote positive relationships and an engaging environment for all students-no matter what!
Culturally Responsive Teaching
Your response to diversity depends on your self-assessment, reflection, increasing awareness, and competencies. One must be aware of his or her own assumptions about cultural groups and how assumptions can facilitate or block a student’s access to education.
Differentiated Practices
Teachers must be trained to deliver effective lessons that focuses on intentional planning, quality instruction, and adequate assessment methods. Effective instructional strategies can be used across grade levels and subject areas.
Effective Writing Strategies
How confident are you at successfully teaching writing? Writing is a process and takes time. Igniting and maintaining student engagement while teaching writing is not always fun for students to teachers. Take away engaging strategies to get even struggling writers to expand their idea development and organize their writing.
Reading on Purpose
Close Reading requires students to get truly involved with the text they are reading. Learn strategies to increase reading comprehension for all students. As a result, you will grow strong readers who are equipped to tackle complex text independently.
Customize Your PL Experience
Here at iCoach Teachers, we pride ourselves on providing the training and resources you need to excel. If you are in need of strategies and resources that we don’t already have listed, we can customize your professional development workshop experience to fit your needs.