Be a Mastery Coach

Definition:
Mastery coaching proposes that all new educators can learn when provided with the appropriate support in a school.

Discussion: The application of mastery coaching is based on the same premise as Benjamin Bloom's Learning for Mastery model. Mastery coaching is predominantly a collaborative, coach-paced collegial approach, in which New Educators learn by collaborating with their Instructional Coach, and colleagues.

How Mastery Coaching Affects Education: Mastery coaches focus on these specific areas – Classroom Management, Lesson Planning and Delivery (focusing on the learning process), communicating with parents, and maintaining high expectations for all students.

Classroom management refers to the procedures developed by the teacher that create a safe and effective learning environment. The coach’s role is to monitor and provide specific feedback as the New Educator refines his/her procedures.

Lesson planning and delivery focuses on developing learning opportunities that are associated with a result or outcome that has clear meaning and relatively immediate value to the student (Schlechty, 2000). The coach assists the New Educator in developing a mind set for planning in a standards-based system. The planning begins with 1) developing objectives, 2) creating assessments to determine student progress, and 3) selecting appropriate instructional strategies to help all students learn. Following the planning process, the coach observes, assesses the New Educator and student work, and provides feedback, and encourages the New Educator to reflect on his/her own performance.

Communicating with parents can have a positive influence on a student’s performance. The coach’s responsibility is to be proactive especially prior to open house or any New Educator’s parent conference. It is not always what a new educator tells a parent but how it is said.

Maintaining high expectations for students is about the teacher’s behavior. Teachers communicate with students on many planes through what is said, how it is said, body language, attitude, and movement. The coach should discuss the importance communicating high expectations for all students.

The reflective process: The mastery coach always self-reflects following a session with a New Educator. This metacognitive process helps the coach refine his/her skills to improve support for the New Educator.

Source: Dr. Doug Miller, NESS Program Facilitator