Pennsylvania Institute for Instructional Coaching — A Partnership Between the Annenberg Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of Education
PIIC Participants Network at July Event PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 19 August 2010 15:32

 

More than 100 instructional coaches, mentors and school and district administrators attended the latest Professional Learning Opportunity (PLO) held from July 26-28 at the Radisson Penn Harris Conference Center in Camp Hill, PA. Session topics included Working with Reluctant Teachers, facilitated by IU 3 PIIC Mentor, Chris Hausammann and Hazleton PIIC Mento,r Gen Battisto; Non-evaluative reflection – Internal vs. external questions, facilitated by PIIC Associate Director, Bruce Eisenberg and PIIC Mentor Consultant, Kathy Gori; Learning Walks, facilitated by Nate Martin, Assistant Principal of SciTech HS; and many more!

On the morning of July 27th, PIIC’s Advocacy and Outreach consultant Charley Territo facilitated a panel-discussion entitled The power and promise of one-on-one coaching.  Cheryl Krider of Wattsburg SD, Anne-Marie Layhue of Albert Gallatin SD, Erica Wagner of Steelton-Highspire SD and Tara Young of Penn Delco SD spoke to the audience about their coaching experiences. Click here to see video of this session.

PIIC introduced an Elementary Coaching strand, facilitated by Elizabeth Powers from the Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Center. Focusing on coaching basics, job-embedded professional development, and getting the most out of instructional mentors, the 3.5 hour course was spread out over the 3 days of the conference.

Over 25 administrators from across the state attended the PLN 1 for School Leaders course. Facilitated by Tom Otto and Brian Toth of Bellwood Antis SD, the graduate level course will continue at PIIC’s October PLO. School Leaders earn Act 45 hours for their participation.

Caitlin Dailey, Senior Program Associate; Kara Smith, Senior Program Assistant; and Shakira Bhattacharya, Research Officer of the Academy for Educational Development (AED) attended the event in preparation of gathering data and expanding the design of the study of mentors and mentoring for 2010-2011.
Participant feedback from the event was positive. Below are some responses from our Feedback Form:

“A wealth of knowledge, professional development/strategy sharing.
PIIC is the gateway and support for instructional coaches.  Coaches could not perform their role successfully without the backing of PIIC PD sessions, staff and IU mentors.”
- School/District/Regional Instructional Coach

“Pleasant, well-paced, yet collaborative and full of good information....excellent resources were offered....”
- District Administrator

“What stood out for me in the 3 days was the validation I received from hearing about all the topics regarding my role as a coach, having only completed 1 year in a district that never had coaching. Every general session and breakout strand session was absolutely valuable to me in giving me ideas, affirming the path I am on as a coach, and networking with others in my field.”
- Elementary Coach


Click here for more testimonials!

Our next Professional Learning Opportunity will be on October 27-29, 2010 at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College, PA. For more information, please visit out Events Page.

 

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