Letter of Endorsement in Teacher Leadership and Instructional Coaching

eMBEDDED LEARNING Graduate Programs are offered in partnership with nationally accredited Wilkes University with content collaboratively developed with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The prestigious Letter of Endorsement in Teacher Leadership & Instructional Coaching is a 12-credit graduate program that results in a joint declaration from Wilkes University and eMBEDDED LEARNING recognizing that the completer has gained and demonstrated the sophisticated skills and knowledge necessary to be an effective teacher leader and instructional coach. The program is designed to provide practical and useful skills and knowledge that will prepare you for the role of the teacher leader and instructional coach or accelerate your effectiveness if you are already performing in the role.

The program is delivered online and applied in your school through guided experiences. Each course is delivered through a supportive cohort study group model comprising of five to 10 learners and facilitated by a trained master practitioner. The leading-edge content is developed with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to be of the highest quality and most current.

Rationale for Courses

Teachers excel when working with coaches who are skilled and artful in facilitating meaningful and productive learning. Coaching is one model of professional development that has shown potential to improve the knowledge, skill and practice of teachers, therefore, enhancing student achievement. In a 2004 study by the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning, instructional coaching was found to significantly increase the implementation rate of newly learned practices. This study indicated that without support and follow-up, teacher implementation of new instructional methods is about 10%, but with coaching the percentage increases to 85% (Knight, 2004).

Coaching as a professional development activity involves a highly skilled professional (the coach) working with other professionals (the teachers) in a collegial manner to raise instructional practice to the highest level possible. It is on-going, classroom based, and personalized to each teacher. It is consistent support to the teachers as they work to improve practice based on collaboration, inquiry and consultative feedback from the coach. It represents sound, job-embedded professional development that has the potential to improve instructional practice.

Coaches must understand why and how to use research-based assessment, instruction and intervention strategies based on the individual needs of the students. Staying current on research-based practices is difficult given the demands of the workplace and home. Consequently, education professionals need high-quality continuing professional education opportunities that offer flexibility. As effective facilitators of adult learning, coaches lead teachers in reflective and inquiry-based professional development that advances collective leadership, continuous improvement of instructional practices, and improved student achievement.

Letter of Endorsement in Teacher Leadership & Instructional Coaching:

Overview of the Courses

Teachers, regardless of their experience, require engaging, application-oriented, high quality professional education opportunities to improve student achievement. The courses above indicate the depth and breadth of learning with which the learner will engage. Specifically, the core courses in the Teacher Leadership and Instructional Coaching Series provide a comprehensive program appropriate for teacher, who as teacher leaders, recognize that their role is mentoring novice and experienced teachers how to raise student achievement through best practice.

Teacher Leadership explores the concept of leadership, school culture, transitioning from classroom teacher to teacher leader, capacity for teacher leadership, facilitation skills and strategies, and is a transitional course to coaching. The course incorporates Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLIC) standards. Instructional Coaching, Part I defines instructional coaching and provides depth on initial coaching strategies used by new coaches as they develop their role within a school. Instructional Coaching, Part II provides additional coaching strategies used after the role has been established, and provides depth on evaluating program success using student assessment results. Problem-based Approach provides specific examples through case studies and using an inquiry approach to dealing with the teaching dilemmas and situations one may encounter when coaching teachers.

By the time you have completed the core courses in the Teacher Leadership and Instructional Coaching Series, you will have acquired a substantial knowledgebase of research-based content and have translated that knowledge into practical application within your school district. Your role within the district may develop as a true leader within in a school-based learning community that is greatly enhanced as a result of your acquiring and using knowledge that is not likely known by most teacher colleagues.

Since the program is delivered online, the learner will enjoy the benefits of:

• Portability so you can continue in the Master's degree program no matter which school or district you are located.
• Flexibility of online delivery so you can schedule your coursework around your personal and family time.
• Convenience with no nighttime or winter driving to campus for graduate classes.
• Practicality by learning skills and knowledge you will actually use in your practice.

Accelerate your career. Gain a prestigious recognition. Help others to grow and succeed.
Apply today for admission into the graduate program Letter of Endorsement in Teacher Leadership & Instructional Coaching.

For more information, please call 1-888-235-6555 or email Learning Sciences International.

Click here to apply to Wilkes University for acceptance into the Letter of Endorsement in Teacher Leadership and Instructional Coaching graduate program.