How to Become a Peer Coach
Creating positive changes in classroom instructional applications produces a stronger, more effective learning environment. Peer coaching provides teachers and administrators opportunities to improve their teaching skills and enhances curriculum learning practices for their students. Becoming a peer coach allows experienced teachers to mentor and guide new teachers by building collaborative networks that discuss learning strategies, create problem solving vehicles, address curriculum concerns and encourage reflective practices through staff development. It is not a complicated process, but one that requires dedication. Becoming a peer coach provides a great avenue for any teacher who wants to integrate traditional methods of teaching with innovative ideas.
Instructions
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Verify the requirements. Every district and school has its own policies regarding coaches. Meet with the administration and familiarize yourself with the protocol before you enroll in any workshops or seminars
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Determine the classification status. Although it's not required to earn a peer coaching certification, some teachers find that it adds credibility to their title. But those teachers who do not have certifications are typically just as successful as those that do have a title, according to Peer Resources, a website devoted to peer coaching information.
Peer coaching bases its strength on experience and familiarity with the curriculum, rather than certifications. But some of these workshops offer valuable coaching strategies and preparation tools.
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Set your goals. Figure out what you want to accomplish by being a peer coach. Visualizing your goals gives you perspective and allows you to focus on your overall objectives.
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Define your role. Formulate a model that outlines your peer coaching strategies. Provide concrete examples of ways in which you plan to enhance classroom curriculum through standard-based lessons that engage students.
Choose a particular lesson and alter it so that it uses classroom resources effectively. Make sure to include rubrics, technology, templates, manipulatives, computers and other available resources that encompass the different learning abilities of each student.
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Present this proposal to the administrator in charge of professional development and seek support for your coaching plan. This assures that your peer coaching strategy is aligned with the school's scholastic goals. It also provides an opportunity for feedback so that you can strengthen any areas or implement new ideas.
Mention that it may also be a cost-effective alternative to staff development sessions, while providing teachers with valuable leadership experiences and professional growth.
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Develop communication skills. Work on your presentation methods and anticipate any questions that might arise from the educational scenario you will present to your peers.
Build a method of communication that provides constructive feedback and reflective questions. This provides more of a collaborative work effort and less of a supervisor relation, because after all they are your peers
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Create a track record. Being able to successfully create positive change becomes a reflection of your abilities. Increasing a sense of collaboration between teachers becomes critical in your success. They need to feel comfortable in approaching you with questions, on new project lessons or just to share ideas.
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