Literacy Coaching: The Essentials

by Katherine Casey

This book achieves something which is rare in professional development books. It demonstrates how to integrate core instructional elements into successful practice.... It should become a central text for study at the classroom, school, and district level.
Anthony J. Alvarado, former Superintendent, District 2, New York and former Chancellor of Instruction, San Diego City Schools What do literacy coaches do? Who do they coach? How does it work? Katherine Casey is a veteran literacy coach, and on the first page of Literacy Coaching she gets down to "I coach teachers in their classrooms, demonstrating lessons, working alongside teachers as they teach, problem solving together how to better meet the needs of their students." From there she presents the most authoritative, comprehensive, and focused guide on literacy coaching available. Literacy Coaching takes you inside todays main coaching models, exploring their roles and responsibilities. Beginning with what coaches do, Casey provides real-life examples of what youll need to know and what abilities the job requires, as well as crucial but often overlooked details such as how to build a relationship with your principal and how to assess the strengths and needs of the teachers youll work with. Then she presents a variety of professional development structures that help you deliver smart, targeted instructional support where and when teachers need it most. Literacy Coaching gets into the nitty-gritty, offering experience-honed advice on these and numerous other important coaching Filled with examples of completed instructional observation forms, graphic organizers, correspondence and conversations with faculty and administrative constituencies, and classroom vignettes that illustrate how coaching really looks, Literacy Coaching is the ideal companion for a practicing coach or consultant and especially for teachers who want to become one.

Genres: Education, Teaching

224 pages, Paperback

First published July 24, 2006

Reviews

[Sheri]

Another basic book on literacy coaching and providing professional development. There is a unique chapter on building a relationship with your principal. The professional development section focuses on all of the different ways a coach can work with teachers from visitations and coaching cycles to workshops.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A timely book for anyone working in a coaching position. I think the most refreshing part was the emphasis on planning for teacher learning as carefully as we would for our students with an eye to the gradual release of responsibility.

[Jen Munnerlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been an outstanding resource. It could be that I was fortunate enough to work with Katherine both at CEL in July and again at NESA in Jordan. She is amazing. I plan to turn to this text for support for years to come.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have trouble knowing how to talk with your colleagues about their teaching (it's hard to share how someone can grow and become better without offending), this is the book for you. :) I also enjoyed the workshop that I got to attend. Listening to Katherine speak was very eye opening for me.

[Ann Yanchura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite coaching book so far - very easy read with lots of great, practical suggestions. Her version of the coaching cycle has changed how I do my work!

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think this is a very practical look at coaching, helpful