6. The Power of Coaching Cycles with Erin McBride (Literacy Coaching Conversations Series - Part 3)

Literacy in Color: A Science of Reading Aligned Podcast for Educators

Michelle sits down with Erin McBride, a seasoned literacy coach who has worked in various educational settings. Together, they explore the power of coaching cycles—how they work, why they're essential, and how they differ from traditional coaching.

Erin shares her experiences navigating different coaching environments, from district-wide roles to her current work with the Rutgers Center for Literacy Development. Whether you're a coach, administrator, or teacher, this episode offers practical insights into the role of coaching cycles in driving instructional growth and student success.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What a coaching cycle is and why it’s a powerful tool for teacher and student growth.
• How coaching cycles differ from traditional coaching approaches.
• Step-by-step guidance on how to run an effective coaching cycle, from goal setting to follow-up.
• How to prioritize which teachers or grade levels get coaching cycles when your schedule is packed.
• Tips for working with teachers who may be resistant to coaching or hesitant to engage in a cycle.

Key Takeaways:

1. Coaching Cycles are Collaborative: They involve setting mutually agreed-upon goals between coaches and teachers, focusing on both teacher and student development.
2. Rinse and Repeat: Coaching cycles are ongoing processes that include demo lessons, co-teaching, and observation, providing continual feedback and support.
3. Focus on Relationships: Building trust with teachers is key to making coaching successful—teachers are more likely to engage when they feel supported, not judged.

Resources Mentioned:

• Rutgers Center for Literacy Development
• Rutgers Center for Literacy Development’s Leader Leaders Institute

Tools for Literacy Coaches:

1. Bright Colored Paper/Post-its: A fun way to make sure your resources stand out and get noticed by teachers.
2. Mentor Texts: A collection of rich, engaging texts to support teachers in literacy instruction.
3. A Network of Coaches: Connect with other coaches to share ideas, vent, and collaborate—Erin mentions the importance of building this network for support and inspiration.

Where to Find Erin:

• Instagram: @literacytipsters
• Rutgers Center for Literacy Development

Thanks for listening to this episode of The Literacy in Color Podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if you found this episode helpful.

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