Post your ideas for coach meetings for next year 08-09

How can we make our meetings more consistent and have them be a forum for professional leanring and sharing. Not necessarily a book....  Not necessarily an "assignment," yet still supporting rigor and consistency.

Talk about our own personal learning network and how we can promote that for our peeps.

I like the "personal learning network" idea...JS AC too!

How can we work more collaboratively on projects between schools.  Ann  Yes!  let's stop reinventing the same units!  PR

Listen to similar podcasts or read a blog and have a discussion about them - dito Ann-KK likes this one GT does too.

Discussions about Alike and Different or Lose and Tight- ditto Ann-YES-YES-KK AC too!

I would like to have us meet at least once every other week, if not more than that. KK Agree GT. AC too! Paul

Every other week meetings is also preferred, if not more...JS

I would like us to do some planning and working on things to use with teachers, etc. KK  So that we have a product to take with us.  PR

I would profit by having your input on some of the challenges I face in my work.    Fresh eyes, and perspective can be very powerful in finding alternate ways to cope and conquer.  PR

I would like time to play with a new tool with you all around so I can actually learn something while I am working instead of on Saturday morning (arg.....) KK  Perhaps we could focus that time on developing ideas for integrating it using the collective intelligence of the group. 

I would like to have updates on what is going to be taught @ the workshops and C4T days. KK

Is there any room for fun at these meetings?  PR

I would like to take a field trip somewhere. (I am not sure what this is yet) KK

I would like to talk about BIG ideas....KK

I would like some coffee....oh wait, that is not related to the meetings...KK

As for structure, I like having our meetings on Monday mornings. It's a good way to start the week, having conversations with each other rather than "going it alone" in my schools..JS I agree. GT  Yes! Paul. 

I have to put a "wrench" into the thinking by saying that I really have found track on days to be great networking days.  Teachers are so open and aren't as "ruled by tme".  So... I do appreciate having those days as "non-meeting" days. AC  ***A question for you (since I have no track in days)  Is it possible to meet with teachers during the afternoon?  At lunch? What if meetings on track in days were deliberately planned to be a little shorter to meet everyone's needs better?  PR

I'd like to see us collaborate on a lesson together, developing it as a group, and then going out and having each coach implement the lesson in schools. This would help the "one vision, one voice" and also it would gaurantee that we are supporting good teaching and learning, since the lesson would be a group effort rather than an individual one....hope that makes sense...JS

Further to this idea.. . . . . . could we invite curriculum and other coaches to help us, so that A) we get the benefit of their expertise in our planning, and B) they get to take away a technology lesson they can use.  PR

I like Jane's model lesson idea above. So often, we talk about 'model lessons' but without the agreement and alignment that makes our work powerful. As a way of maximizing this idea, it would be useful to brainstorm the kinds of ways technology could be applied to instruction. An example of this would be using technology as 'input,' meaning as a way to present information. Inputs can take the form of US video, or a PPT or Keynote, or Inspiration. What other types of lessons might effectively use technology, and could such a menu extend our work with teachers? GT  Can we also explore ideas for integration of technology on the output side for students.  That is, what tools successfully enhance the leanring experience for students, whatg uidelines do students and teachers need to be successful.    PR

I've played with the idea for some months now about forums with other coaches, notably ELA coaches but all of them, actually, to examine how technology can be incorporated in their work with teachers, and to share successes and challenges.

I think that we should NEVER schedule anything else on a meeting day if we have had the date well in advance.  AC  PR**

I desire more staff development information... best practice, ideas, etc.  Revisiting cognitive coaching and other models too. AC  Keeping the focus of our work on the truly important things, rather than those which are merely urgent. 

What about some opportunities to get to know each other a little more personally? AC 

Our meetings ought to support Jane and Karen in their new school numbers, perhaps by dividing and sharing some of the workload.  PR

Who would you like to invite to our meetings??