What Teachers Want

The Qualities of an Effective Literacy Coach According to Classroom Teachers

Authors

  • Alida Hudson Texas A&M University
  • Bethanie Pletcher Texas A&M University-Corpus Christ

Keywords:

coaching conversations, feedback, knowledge, literacy coach

Abstract

This article presents the qualities that classroom teachers believe an effective literacy coach possesses.  These qualities were determined during a study where nine teachers reflected on their one-to-one work with a literacy coach over the course of a school year.  The themes that emerged were that literacy coaches have a certain type of personality, are knowledgeable, provide specific feedback, and understand the nature of coaching conversations.  These characteristics are well supported in the research on literacy coaching and were also evident in recorded coaching interactions between teacher and coach during a larger study of coaching conversations. Becoming aware of the qualities that teachers are looking for in a literacy coach may aid coaches in working more closely with classroom teachers to grow their literacy practices, thus making literacy coaching a highly effective form of professional development.

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Published

2020-07-01

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