COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP IMPROVING LEARNING @ HOLY CROSS

Co-Teaching Cycle

In my role as the Instructional Coach, to build on our culture of Collaborative Professionalism, I work with the teachers in Years 3-6 on a Collaborative Practice known as the Co-Teaching Cycle. Each week, during the term, myself and the classroom teacher come together to work through the four stages of the cycle (explained below) to plan and teach a lesson with a focus on syllabus expectations, student needs and improving our own practice as teachers:

1. Co-Planning- We come together to plan a lesson discussing research-based, high impact instructional strategies to meet the needs of our students, and focus on rich tasks that promote engagement and student growth. We also set ourselves a goals in regards to what we want to improve about our practice.

2. Co-Teaching- We teach side by side, with a focus on what the students are thinking and saying (our lesson is recorded).

3. Co- Debriefing- We examine the lesson video, with a focus on what worked and didn't work, listening to what the students are saying and what they are doing.

4. Co- Reflecting- We engage in open and honest communication about our teaching practice, where to go from there and planning next steps.

In my experience, the co-teaching cycle is one of the most powerful ways to improve our teaching practice and implement the changes in instruction that we've discussed, studied, and observed.

Natalie Baker
Instructional Coach