Coaching Whole School Change: Lessons in Practice from a Small High School [Paperback]

David Allen (Author), Suzanne Wichterle Ort (Author), Alexis Constantini (Author), Jennie Reist (Author), Joseph Schmidt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0807749028 | ISBN-13: 978-0807749029 | Publication Date: September 1, 2008

Steeped in practical knowledge and eager to share it with others, school coaches are at the forefront of education reform. This book provides an in-depth look at the practice of coaching in a small high school, an increasingly popular school improvement strategy. The authors identify and describe a range of coaching habits that will support instructional planning across the curriculum, distributed leadership, and the development of a strong professional learning community. Because no one person on their own can ever make school change occur, the text looks at coaching from the perspectives of the coach as well as the individual teachers she works with. This guide to effective coaching:
*Focuses on change coaching which encompasses school culture and organization, as well as curriculum content.
*Describes how coaching develops and changes in the life of one school over a period of 5 years.
*Provides images of practice and tools that will be invaluable to school coaches, administrators, district staff, staff developers, and organizations that support coaching.

Editorial Reviews

Review

''The heart of this book is the detailed descriptions of coaching relationships as they were worked out over the years. The authors eschew academic abstraction and deal with what people see and say and feel--with the relationships and reality of classroom life. And because they are gifted teachers themselves, we get an extra treat--a vivid portrait of good teaching.'' --From the Foreword by Thomas Sobol, Professor Emeritus, Teachers College, Columbia University and former Commissioner of Education for New York State

''The heart of this book is the detailed descriptions of coaching relationships as they were worked out over the years. The authors eschew academic abstraction and deal with what people see and say and feel--with the relationships and reality of classroom life. And because they are gifted teachers themselves, we get an extra treat--a vivid portrait of good teaching.'' --From the Foreword by Thomas Sobol, Professor Emeritus, Teachers College, Columbia University and former Commissioner of Education for New York State

''The heart of this book is the detailed descriptions of coaching relationships as they were worked out over the years. The authors eschew academic abstraction and deal with what people see and say and feel--with the relationships and reality of classroom life. And because they are gifted teachers themselves, we get an extra treat--a vivid portrait of good teaching.'' --From the Foreword by Thomas Sobol, Professor Emeritus, Teachers College, Columbia University and former Commissioner of Education for New York State

About the Author

David Allen is a senior research associate at the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST) at Teachers College, Columbia University. His most recent books are The Facilitator's Book of Questions (with Tina Blythe, 2004) and Looking Together at Student Work, Second Edition (with Tina Blythe and Barbara Powell, 2007). Suzanne Wichterle Ort was a research associate at NCREST and is an Assistant Principal at Park East High School in New York City. Alexis Constantini, Jennie Reist and Joseph Schmidt have all taught at Park East High School.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Teachers College Press (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807749028
• ISBN-13: 978-0807749029
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,307,794 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This book has many uses, December 25, 2008

By 

Lisa H. Hirsch "Dr. Lisa H. Hirsch" (Sedona, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coaching Whole School Change: Lessons in Practice from a Small High School (Paperback)

This book serves many useful purposes for teaching and learning. Number one, collaboration and building from people's strengths is easier said than done, but once it is in process the students will benefit 10 fold. Number two, I am reminded that as a principal I MUST seek input and listen to perspectives and communicate productively. More importantly this book provides me with examples of how to strengthen the faculty and myself which in turn bolsters the students' experiences. This is not just for high school people, this will work k-12.
The organization and different voices provided in this book are invaluable because it is so real, so truthful and cuts across what it humanly means to be the educators who are constantly seeking improvement.

4.0 out of 5 stars Coaching Whole School Change, December 2, 2008

By 

Jill Herman (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coaching Whole School Change: Lessons in Practice from a Small High School (Paperback)

Coaching Whole School Change by David Allen provides both multi-perspective windows and mirrors into the world of the work of schools: improving teaching and learning.
This book is well organized, provides a map to coaching, cites evidence along the way, and tells a wonderful story. Those of us who work in schools understand well that schools are about relationships, and nothing happens without them. This is a theme that runs throughout the book. The book provides provides skills and tools such as protocols to facilitate the learning of all.( I especially liked the BBQs.)
What struck me is that the model for coaching described is the very model that builds a great school community: intentionality, taking advantage of unplanned moments, the need for clear communication, and the belief that capacity must be developed and supported for both the students and the staff. Furthermore, this capacity is more rapidly developed through collaboration.
This book is for those who believe that teaching and learning must be at the center of the work of schools. In order for this to happen, schools must continuously be engaged in intellectual activity; they must be willing to expose their practices, and willing to be analytical, practical, committed, and reflective.
In NYC we have a majority of new high schools, new principals, and new teachers. This book provides many strategies for supporting and strengthening our schools. It also gives us a wonderful example of what is possible.
As someone who has spent over 30 years working in and with schools, I found this book insightful. As I go from school to school I now have more tools and strategies in my coaching bag.