School+-+Dandenong+South+PS

Dandenong South PS: (Angela Savaglio)
I left day one feeling excited and keen. It was an excellent introduction and I looked forward to learning more. I was looking forward to the next two days and I was hoping that many of my questions would be answered and that I would begin to have a clearer understanding of my role as a Literacy Coach. I liked the **vision cards** activity as it made me think more about the three areas of my role as a teacher, coach and leader. I think it would be a great activity to do with my staff. The **hopes fears and expectations** activity was excellent. This activity started to help answer some of my questions. I can see the value of doing this activity and I think I might even do it with my staff. Overall I found the discussions, readings and activities extremely worthwhile. After today I feel that I have done a lot of reflecting and thinking. I still have many questions but I am feeling positive and looking forward to day 3. Today's session on Differentiated Learning Streams (Julie's session) was excellent!! I actually feel much more confident in where I am heading and I also feel much more knowledgeable about the different types & roles of a coach. It was great to observe a coaching conversation and the coaching conversations in triads was an excellent way of helping me to learn from others and having a go. I still have questions but I am much more clearer about where to next. Thanks to all the presenters!!!
 * DAY 1:**
 * DAY 2:**
 * DAY 3:**

After several discussions with my leadership team we have decided that I will be working with the grade 3 and 4 teachers with the aim to improve teaching capacity in Literacy focusing on Reading. During this term I have started coaching conversations with some teachers and so far all is well. Although challenging at times I feel that we are all learning together. I am looking forward to learning so much more and hopefully together we can make a difference. I enjoyed the triad activity and appreciated the time to share and also hear what others are doing. It seems we all have similar concerns but have all learnt so much since day one of this course. The time given to moderate samples of writing was certainly worthwhile. I am now questioning the purpose of moderation in my school context and am planning to facilitate regular discussions and moderating of writing at level meetings. The intention is to use the information to drive our teaching not just something that is done once prior to report writing. As Literacy coach, I feel that it is an important part of my role to spend time working with teachers and encouraging them to use the information shown in their student's writing to improve student learning. Although sometimes hard to find the time to read all the readings, I do appreciate them and am trying to find the time to make sure I do read them as I feel as a Literacy coach I can only begin to work effectively with others if I myself am knowledgeable. I am constantly asking myself, //what do I need to learn and know about the teaching of Literacy to help my coaching?// I could listen to Cathy Toll forever! She is so knowledgeable and such a professional. I learnt so much today. I liked the 2, 4, 8 activity so much that it was one of the first things I tried when I went back to school. The kids and teachers love it too! It's a great way to get everyone talking, sharing and learning from each other. I find myself often referring to Cathy Toll's handout, 'Coaching Teachers as Learners' and when I look at the four models of coaching I realise that I am actually coaching aross the models. I don't think this is necessarily a wrong thing but I am understanding that the models of coaching reflect a person's beliefs, perspectives and contexts. //As Cathy said coaching is about helping people to become succesful, helping people to establish a purpose, helping people to connect with what they really want to aspire to. **'I hear you, I understand you, I value you'** .// //Cathy Toll makes it all seem so easy but for me "Ancora imparo" - still I learn.// I always appreciate the time given to think, reflect, share & discuss at these sessions. It was good to go back to the 3C's as outlined by Jill. (consult, collaborate & coach) Referring back to the 3C's has helped me to better reflect on the question what do the people I work with need from me? As I am getting more involved & familiar with my coaching role, I am quickly learning that no coaching model fits every sitaution. I found Joan's workshop related to leadership really worthwhile. The handouts- 'Managing Complex Change' & 'Strategic Leadership' were both very interesting. The session with Joan clearly highlighted the importance of effective leadership. I found it useful to map out my school's organistation of leadership & then to reflect on how/where I fit into that organisation.
 * DAY 4:**
 * Day 5:**
 * Day 6 & 7:**

//__**THEN & NOW REFLECTION:**__// //**Then**// Prior to this program I thought that being a Literacy coach meant working with teachers to improve their practice which would then lead to improved Literacy outcomes of students. I thought this basically meant observing classroom teachers and giving feedback to direct their improvement. I thought I would be seen as the 'expert' and that others would expect me to have all the answers even though I knew I didn't. At the beginning of the year I was unsure of my role and how it would all unfold. My school had never had a coach before so it was a new experience for all of us. Earlier on there were times when I felt unsure and confused about what it really meant to be a Literacy coach.My goal was to be an 'effective' coach and I wanted it to be a positive and valuable learning experience for all involved. I just wasn't sure about the HOW??? I now know so much more about coaching and what it means to be an 'effective' coach. I have learnt that although I am coaching for improvement, coaching is not about telling people what to do but it is about helping people think about what they are doing. My role as coach is to help the teacher examine the thinking behind what they are doing so it is consistent with their goals. Coaching is not about where I want to go but about where the teacher wants to go so the coaching conversation is crucial in giving teachers time to think about their teaching. I now have clearer goals about my role as a coach. My goals as a coach are to be: - someone who helps others identify their strengths - someone who helps others grow their strengths - someone who helps others develop new strengths Developing a positive and supportive relationship with teachers has definitely contributed to them accepting and valuing coaching as a worthwhile learning experience. During the year I have enjoyed working with individual teachers, teams of teachers, leadership teams, leadership and of course students. During the year I have developed my coaching skills through practice, professional reading and discussions with other coaches. Although I have learnt so much I know I still have so much more to learn...... I still have questions but look forward to continuing to work with others.
 * //Now//**

Teachers created Wordles to reflect on their coaching experience. Here is an example of one. media type="custom" key="7249161" width="200" height="200"