Pennsylvania Institute for Instructional Coaching — A Partnership Between the Annenberg Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of Education
PIIC Continues Success in May Event PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 16 May 2011 09:51

By Erin Saunders, Communications Assistant

Despite tough economic times, over 130 mentors, coaches, district administrators, and teachers from around the state flocked to the Radisson Hotel in Camp Hill, PA, for PIIC’s latest Professional Learning Opportunity (PLO). The successful event, which took place from May 4-6, 2011, allowed participants to network with one another and to earn Act 48 credit.

The PLO kicked off with concurrent sessions on Wednesday, May 4. PIIC Executive Director, Ellen Eisenberg, facilitated Coaching 101 for the new PIIC participants to learn about the PIIC Instructional Coaching Model. Veterans attended one of four sessions that were based around PIIC’s 4 core components: One-on-One and Small Group Support for Teachers and Other School Leaders, facilitated by IU PIIC Mentors Karen Macartney and Chris Caton; Data Collection and Analysis, facilitated by IU PIIC Mentors Jessica Jacobs and Kathy Yorks; Evidence Based Literacy Practices, facilitated by IU PIIC Mentors Laura Yaeger and Amy Walker; and Reflective and Non-Evaluative Practice, facilitated by IU PIIC Mentors Lynne Fedorcha, Nancy Neusbaum, and Gen Battisto. Facilitators used the essential questions from PIIC’s newest resource, The Instructional Coaching Resource Guide, as a basis for discussion for each group.

Day 2 started with Classroom Diagnostic Testing (CDT), facilitated by Bobbi Pfingstler, Director of Continuous School Improvement from the Central Intermediate Unit (CIU 10), and Cindy Mierzejewski, Assistant Director of the Office of Professional Development and Curriculum from Berks IU (BIU 14).

After the CDT general session, professional development continued for participants with five breakout sessions that varied in topics and experience levels. Joe Ginotti, Director of the Penn Literacy Network (PLN), facilitated a session entitled The PLN Framework: Connecting Literacy and Learning for attendees who are new to PIIC.  Other breakout sessions included It’s Elementary by Elizabeth Powers from the Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Center; Instructional Coaching and Induction: Strategies to Support New Teachers in the BDA Model, facilitated by Penn Delco School District (SD) Coaches Tara Young and Melissa Huber; Student Led Discussions and Literature Circles Move into the 21st Century, facilitated by East Penn SD Coaches Dennine Leschinsky and Vicky Romagnoli; and Using True Project Based Learning to Achieve 21st Century Instruction and Learning, facilitated by Chestnut Ridge SD Coaches Tammy Miller, Lori Sidelinger, Amanda Weighley, and Lisa Kohler.

Day 2 concluded with a general session facilitated by Joe Ginotti entitled, Strategic Planning: A Coach’s Focus on Active Reading, where he discussed how to apply active reading techniques to PIIC’s Before, During, After (BDA) cycle of consultation and collaboration.

The event concluded on May 6 with a panel discussion featuring Williamsport Area High School Principal Mike Reed, East Penn SD Supervisor of Secondary Education Linda DeIvernois, PIIC Mentor Gen Battisto, Allentown SD Instructional Coach Maryanne Rood, and North Star SD Instructional Coach Cheryl Slade. The broad array of panelists discussed “Supporting structures of reciprocal learning: coaches and administrators working together,” which allowed audience members to see a variety of perspectives from across the state.

Feedback from the event is quite positive: “Our district still has a way to go to implement the BDA model in our schools.  The conference helped us create a path for transition within the district and a desire to use the BDA model.”
-Elementary Coach

“I continue to grow in my understanding of the PIIC model--the four quadrants and the BDA model of instruction. Each conference reinforces what instructional coaching is and how I have to help my district see what it is not—primarily as a data collector.”
-School/District/Regional Instructional Coach

“I appreciate a variety of whole group and small group options.  I like signing up for at least one session ahead of time and having the element of choice.  I also appreciate that the presenters model strategies for engagement while they are presenting.”
-School/District/Regional Instructional Coach, Elementary Coach

Our next PIIC Professional Development will be July 25-27 at the Penn Stater Conference Center. For more information, visit our Events Page or contact your IU PIIC Mentor.