I'm a new IC, now what?
Greenville County School District
The "Why" and Meet Coach Katie Dell'Oso
I remember being so excited about finishing my Instructional Coach Institute year and getting a new job as Instructional Coach at Gateway Elementary. ICI was so beneficial in helping me learn what type of coach I wanted to be and what that was going to look like. The academic specialists are always so supportive and have helped mold me into the coach I am today.
Even after the great support of ICI, getting a new job can always feel overwhelming. I hope this information about what I learned in my first two years helps save you some pains along the way. The job of an IC can feel isolating especially if you are the only IC in the school. I've had several IC mentees ask me questions. This information stems from all of those questions as well. All of this information are suggestions. Make it your own! Let me know if there is anything else that would be helpful that I could add.
I am always eager to discover new ideas to empower our teachers and students to take learning risks. I would love to hear from you and grow from your experiences and expertise. My main purpose as an instructional coach is to help every student and teacher move to their next level. Let me know at any time if you need something!
~Katie Dell'Oso
Gateway Instructional Coach
Instagram: GatewayIC_DellosoDaily
Twitter: Katie_Delloso
Email: kdelloso@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/greenvilleschools.us/gateway-instructional-coach/home?authuser=2
Location: 200 Hawkins Rd, Travelers Rest, SC 29690, USA
Phone: 864-355-5244
Twitter: @Katie_Delloso
Step 1: Understanding the Culture and Goals
If you are heading into a new school, it is always important to gain an understanding of the current culture and school-wide goals. Always remember slow is fast! You have to build relationship and gain understanding before you can truly make a difference! You will be working side by side with the principal, so it is EXTREMELY important to build that relationship. Take a road trip around your zone to better learn about your population of students. Poverty Tours are great! Find out about the community involvement and how you can get involved!
Questions to Discuss with Principal & ILT
- What is the culture like here at the school? What do I need to know coming in?
- What is the culture like currently for Student-Centered Coaching? How was it done previously?
- What are you looking for in an Instructional Coach? What responsibilities are going to be on me? (Ask about Coaching Cycles, OnTrack, Testing Coordinators, Instructional Rounds, Morning/Afternoon Duties, Observations Requirements, Professional Developments, Leadership Meetings, Community Involvement, Mentor/School Specific Programs, RTI, SPED, Scheduling, Technology Admin, PowerTeacherPro, School Tours, School Visits, and Administrative Tasks.)
- How do we communicate the best with teachers? What does our PD schedule and sessions look like? Do we send weekly newsletters to teachers?
- What do you want me to start working on this summer and in August?
- What are our goals for this year? Take a look at ALL of the data and School Portfolio. Look at the school-wide data and grade level strand data. Look at the subgroup data. Look at the Fastbridge, F&P, MAP, and CogAT/IOWA data. (Attend the summer Enrich and GCSource training.)
- Decide on what your role is going to look like this year in helping support and achieve these goals.
- What are the best academic resources we have in the building? F&P Classroom Kits, SPED Curriculum, School Programs, RTI, Math Supports, etc.
- We also took personality tests and talked about how to best communicate with each other.
Step 2: Building Relationships
Build Relationships with Instructional Leadership Team (ILT)
- Conversations - Sit down with each member of ILT. Let them share their expertise with you about the school and their role. Ask them how you can help.
- Principal, Assistant Principal, Literacy Specialist, Counselor, Title I Facilitator, etc.
Build Relationships with Teachers, Students and Community
- Meet the Coach Newsletter
- Survey for Teachers - Get to Know You
- Survey for Teachers - Gateway PD Survey
- For the whole first semester, observe in classrooms and leave positive evidence-based feedback on a sticky note for them each time. Eat lunch with the students in the cafeteria.
- Team Planning - Attend as many team meetings as possible and just listen.
- Make Conversation - Find out all you can about your teachers!
- Lead by Example - Servant Leadership - Do your PDs look like how you want teachers teaching? Are they engaging? Are they approaching mastery?
- Just because a teacher doesn't do it the way you would have done it, doesn't make it wrong. “You don’t get harmony when everyone sings the same note.” -Doug Floyd
- Eat lunch with the students.'
- Be a mentor to students in need!
Communication is Key!
- School-Wide Google Classroom - Gateway Connection Newsletter, Meeting Agendas, PD reminders, PD in your PJ, Grade Verification Submission, Survey Distribution, Weekly Emails
- Smore Website - I use this for newsletters, PD presentations, information brochures, etc.
- School Reference Page - Every school needs one!
- IC Website - Go ahead and make yours!
- Instagram and Twitter are a great way for you to share your daily IC life and new ideas/strategies.
Gateway's Student-Centered Coaching Google Doc
Mrs. Dell'Oso will complete this during the Coaching Cycle so you have daily notes and information.
Step 3: Creating a Culture for Student-Centered Coaching
- You are not the expert. You are a teammate for teachers trying to help better understand how to help their students learn.
- Coaching is for all teachers. Start with some of the best teachers to create that culture. Let them share how positive of an experience it was to go through it. Word of mouth is quick!
- Train Teachers - Let them know what Student-Centered Coaching looks like.
- Teacher Choice - Let them decide what unit they want help with based on data. They get to choose your role each day during the cycle. - Use the Google Form
Step 4: Implementing Student-Centered Coaching
Student-Centered Coaching is...
- an opportunity for us to co-teach and learn in a partnership
- guided by learning goals based on the standards and our GCS curriculum
- analyzing student evidence to guide our instruction
- meeting students where they are and moving each student to the next level
What will the coach do while in the classroom? You get to choose!
What do teachers and students say about student-centered coaching?
Step 5: Managing Everything Else & Questions from New ICs
Moving In
How should I decorate my room?
- For the Walls - Coaching Cycle Anchor Chart, School Data and Goals, Motivation, Spots for Planning Anchor Charts, Instructional Protocol, Literacy Framework, GCSD Blueprint
- Environment - Make it open and inviting so teachers want to come to you and feel comfortable while there. I love my lamps, personal pictures, and furniture.
Do I get the money from the State?
- No, you will need to talk to your principal about supplies.
What supplies do I need?
- Anchor Chart Paper - Full
- Anchor Chart Sticky Notes
- Anchor Chart Markers
- Copy Paper - All Colors
- Folders
- Lots of Highlighters- All colors
- Multi Size Sticky Notes
- Office Supplies - erasable pens, staplers, pencils, tape, paper clips, folders, dividers, white out, hole punch
- I love my little personal laminator ($33 on Amazon)
- I push around a little "IC Coaching Cart" with all of this on it.
Coaching and Instructional Protocol
Data and Blueprints
Teacher Unit Planning
Do I get paid in the summer? How do I get paid for the 10 summer days?
Talk with your principal! Find out his/her expectations. Schedule work days and tasks for completions. Ask what you need to do to get the information to the clerk. This is a team decision with your principal. I always make a Google Sheet with my days, hours, and tasks for completion.
Where do you find test scores and subgroup info?
Your principal will share or use the State Department link below.
I need help with all of this Mastery Connect stuff!
Do you miss the classroom?
No. I’m in the classroom everyday. Now I get to teach K4-5th grade. I love experiencing the big picture and seeing all of the progress they make. I love team teaching. I love building relationships with all of the students. (Love first. Teach second.) Don’t even ask me about how much I cry at 5th Grade Day or how excited I get meeting our K4 and K5! I love helping a whole school and community.
How do I login to the Professional Development Portal to Log Classes and Find Codes
How do I find the code for my session?
Click on "My PD" on left hand side.
Click on the small grey wheel next to the session you are looking for, and the code will appear
People Keep Asking Me about Certification, SLO, and PD Credits
Technology Proficiency
Pass info to teachers and guide them when things get overlooked with all the other stuff going on.
PD is Important
Stay on top of your PD schedule. I try to do it early in the year and go ahead and make all the links. Make sure you have the 12 required for your school.
People Keep Asking Me About Backpack
I have questions, and I don't know who to ask.
Location Directory
Your principal will get these new sheets at the Operational Meeting each summer.
I'm the Power Teacher Pro person, and I don't know what to do to set up grade books.
**Power Teacher Pro PD Information**
PT Pro View Average Grade per Assignment
I feel like something got lost in the shuffle this summer.
It was probably the Mastery Connect Implementation Guide. :)
New Instructional Strategy Ideas
Keep learning!
Spotlight on Strategies or SOS by Instructional Need or SOS for Literacy/Vocabulary
What do you do each week?
I run student-centered coaching cycles all year mainly. I do mini coaching sessions and observations for those who don't have a full cycle. I co-teach lessons each year. I also am the note taker for OnTrack. I help with our Gateway Mentor Program. I mentor several students. I am the testing coordinator for CogAt, IOWA, MAP, SC READY, SC PASS, and TE.21. I attend weekly OnTrack and ILT meetings. I help lead all Faculty Council and SIC meetings. I help lead Gator Club for new teacher support. I am part of the PLT and DLC Admin. I attend district and school professional development. I am part of all grade level data dives. I go to team planning meetings to help plan. I check lesson plans and websites. I help manage technology accounts such as IXL. I help with planning of school events such as International Day. I have also attached the monthly schedule below to help. It is constantly changing though!
Resources for Help
Possible Summer Trainings
- GCSource
- Enrich
- OnTrack
- Diane Sweeney Student-Centered Coaching
- SPED Curriculum
- PowerTeacherPro
- Balanced Literacy Videos from Kristy Jennings
- UTC
- Summer Academy
- Furman Consortium
Final Thoughts
- Love first. Teach second.
- The relationship with your principal is key!
- Always be a team player.
- Never forget the feelings of being in the classroom.
- Build relationships and reach out to other ICs!
- Don't be afraid to ask questions!
- Always keep learning!
- Go observe other ICs in action!
- Be organized!
- Scheduling is tough, but you can do it!
- Reflect and Grow
