Joellen Killion

Decades of research show that students will be more successful in school when teachers involve families in the educational process. Teachers have developed strategies for working with families largely through a process of trial and error. Coaches can fill a void here -- they can facilitate a more structured process […]

Meet the classroom supporter -- in this role, the school-based coach joins the teacher in the classroom and offers a range of support options. The coach may demonstrate a lesson when the teacher is learning a new instructional practice. Coach and teacher have an option to co-teach when the teacher […]

Evaluation is an important part of what teacher leaders do in classrooms and in work with their peers. While the idea of evaluating classroom practices sounds intimidating, it doesn't have to be. Learn about the Evaluation standard as it applies to coaching. Killion provides basic definitions and steps in the […]

Role: Catalyst for change By Joellen Killion , Cynthia Harrison  When does a school-based coach resemble a tight-rope walker? As catalysts for change, coaches have a delicate balance to maintain -- on one hand, they challenge the status quo and on the other, they want teachers to be confident and […]

When does a school-based coach resemble a tight-rope walker? As catalysts for change, coaches have a delicate balance to maintain -- on one hand, they challenge the status quo and on the other, they want teachers to be confident and competent in their work. Coaches promote continuous improvement throughout schools. […]

Teachers gather all the time. But does that mean they are a learning community? The NSDC Learning Communities standard states: Staff development that improves the learning of all students organizes adults into learning communities whose goals are aligned with those of the school and district. Each month, Joellen Killion explores […]

Role: Instructional specialist By Joellen Killion , Cynthia Harrison  How fitting that most coaches spend the majority of their time in the role of the instructional specialist since it is in this role that student learning is most directly influenced. As instructional specialists, coaches focus on instructional strategies, share information […]

More and more, teachers are hearing the importance of using "research-based" strategies. How are they supposed to know what is research-based and what isn't? Teacher leaders can help. This month, Joellen Killiion provides teacher leaders with an overview of what is -- and is not -- meant by scientifically based […]

Role: Curriculum specialist By Joellen Killion , Cynthia Harrison  School-based coaches tackle a range of challenging tasks when they play the role of the curriculum specialist. They assist teachers in understanding and aligning the curriculum, they help to identify and interpret standards, they explore what to assess. Such a range […]

School-based coaches tackle a range of challenging tasks when they play the role of the curriculum specialist. They assist teachers in understanding and aligning the curriculum, they help to identify and interpret standards, they explore what to assess. Such a range of tasks is daunting, and becomes more so when […]