Cultivating Coaching Mindsets: An Action Guide for Literacy Leaders

A Joint Publication with the International Literacy Association:

Many educators in schools have coaching responsibilities. These literacy leaders, including reading specialists, teacher-leaders, literacy coaches, and administrators, are working to develop, implement, and sustain powerful schoolwide literacy programs. They're remodeling schools to help provide highly effective, rigorous teaching and learning. To do all of this, they need to wear many hats, serving as leaders, facilitators, designers, and advocates. In Cultivating Coaching Mindsets, authors Rita M. Bean and Jacy Ippolito lay out a detailed framework to help literacy leaders promote the advancement of literacy instruction that improves and deepens learning. They discuss ways to build trust with teachers, both individually and in groups, in a shared effort to:

• Establish a school culture that promotes shared leadership and collegiality
• Help teachers use data to improve instruction and literacy learning
• Ensure that everyone maintains a focus on lifelong learning
• Work with families, communities, individuals, and the system simultaneously

The authors take a detailed look at the coaching observation cycle, explore facilitation techniques for providing meaningful feedback, and support teachers as they build their capacity to reflect on and improve literacy learning for all students.

• Rita M. Bean is professor emerita, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining the University, she taught at the elementary level and also served as reading supervisor, K-12. She has published in many different journals and monographs on the topics of reading curriculum and instruction, diagnosis and remediation in reading, adult literacy, professional development, coaching, and the preparation of reading specialists. Two recent books include: The Reading Specialist: Leadership and Coaching for the Classroom, School, and Community, 3rd edition (2015) and a co-edited text, Best Practices of Literacy Leaders: Keys to School Improvement (2011) that focuses on the importance of building school capacity by developing schools in which there is shared leadership and a culture of collaboration. Dr. Bean was Co-Director of the evaluation team for Reading First in Pennsylvania and one of the lead writers for the development of the PA Comprehensive Literacy Plan (2011). Currently, she is co-directing the development efforts for the International Literacy Association's Standards for Reading Professionals 2017.
• Jacy Ippolito is an associate professor in the School of Education at Salem State University where he teaches courses in literacy and leadership. Jacy completed both his doctorate and master's in education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Jacy began teaching in the Boston area after earning his bachelor's in English and Psychology from the University of Delaware's Honors Program. Jacy's research, teaching, and consulting focus on the intersection of adolescent literacy, literacy coaching, teacher leadership, and school reform. His recent publications include articles in journals such as the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, The Journal of Staff Development (JSD), and The Elementary School Journal, as well as two books, Adolescent Literacy in the Era of the Common Core and Adolescent Literacy, both from Harvard Education Press.