Coaching for Professional Learning Communities – Administrators

Administrators are actively involved in the implementation of each PLC topic and it is the goal of The Wheelhouse Collaborative to become partners along the way.  Administrators are expected to attend the full PLC, will actively participate in the Training sessions, and co-facilitate when necessary.  A coaching schedule for administrators and classrooms will be set up during the first coaching session and can be adjusted as needed.

MAKE NOTE:  A one-hour coaching session is 50 minutes with 10 minutes of note-taking/reflection time, give or take.

Types of PLC Coaching Sessions

1. Coaching Administrators
2. Coaching Whole Program (non-training)
3. Coaching Classroom Teams
4. Coaching Individuals

Practice-Based Coaching for Administrators

The Wheelhouse Collaborative employs a Practice-based Coaching model that includes a three-step process:

1. Shared Goals and Action Planning (occurs prior to and throughout PLC)
2. Focused observations (done by Administrator in-between Training)
3. Reflection and Feedback (1-hour coaching sessions in-between Training)

For Administrators of all PLCs, step one, “shared goals and action planning” occurs prior to starting the PLC AND in each Training with all classrooms present.

Administrator coaching sessions follow the next two steps in the coaching process in-between each Training of the 12-hour PLC.

Administrator Coaching sessions for all Professional Learning Communities are as follows: 

1. Preparation Meeting Prior to PLC (2.0 hours):  Program background questionnaire completed prior to meeting.  Co-create coaching agreement, schedules, promotional materials, and communication plan for roll-out.
2. Coaching Session with Admin #1:  (After Training 1 – 1 hour) It is recommended that Administrators attend at least one coaching session for each classroom throughout PLC.  Coach reports on the progress of all classrooms.  Administrator coaching sessions provide a space for processing ideas, sharing strategies, and action planning.
3. Coaching Session with Admin #2:  (After Training 2 – 1 hour) It is recommended that Administrators attend at least one coaching session for each classroom.  Coach reports on the progress of all classrooms. Administrator coaching sessions provide a space for processing ideas, sharing strategies, and action planning.
4. Coaching Session with Admin #3: (After Training 3 – 1 hour) It is recommended that Administrators attend at least one coaching session for each classroom throughout PLC.  Coach reports on the progress of all classrooms. Administrator coaching sessions provide a space for processing ideas, sharing strategies, and action planning.
5. Coaching Session with Admin #4: (Upon completion – 1 hour)   Reflective practice and next steps.

PLC Feedback Loops

Each of the three coaching sessions of the PLC follows a unique feedback loop.  Each feedback loop provides structure and clarity and ensures teachers are collaboratively embedding PLC concepts in real-time.  Administrators are actively involved in supporting this work.

The following are examples from the Engineering Mindset curriculum:

1. Feedback Loop 1: Embodying Habits of Mind / Problem-solving Design Activity & Routines
2. Feedback Loop 2: Empowerment Strategies /  Problem-solving Design Activity & Routines
3. Feedback Loop 3: Accommodation Strategies / Problem-solving Design Activity & Routines