Author

Amber Bentley

Term

Spring 2020

Capstone

Capstone Project

Degree Name

MAT

Facilitator(s)

Trish Harvey

Content Expert

Adam Slaton

Abstract

Professional development opportunities are not created equally, especially in their ability to achieve sustainable growth in both teachers and students. This paper examines the benefits of an effective instructional coaching program for teachers as the learner and develops the idea that instructional coaching is the best form of differentiated professional development that is built upon a culture of conversation and reflection. Chapter one of this paper provides the author’s investment into the topic of instructional coaching and the need for a differentiated approach to professional development in order to reach the needs of an adult learner. Chapter two explores the research on conventional professional development, the needs of an adult learner, differentiated learning and instructional coaching in comparison and in alignment with the aforementioned. Chapter three describes the author’s capstone project, a reflective implementation workbook. Finally, chapter four provides a synthesis of learning that is rooted in maintaining a reflective practice in order to grow. An instructional coaching program is only as effective as its proper implementation and dedication by a knowledgeable team. For this reason, the author has created a reflective implementation workbook called Building the Foundations of a Coaching Culture that addresses the focus question, how can a school implement an effective instructional coaching program to benefit the teacher as the learner?

Keywords

Adult Education, Reflective Practice, Staff Development, Teachers/ Teaching

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Projects

Included in

Education Commons

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