Cadott School Board - Instructional coaching a way of helping staff and students

By Ginna Young

Student achievement and staff growth are always a focus of the Cadott School District, and at the board of education meeting, Nov. 11, it was explained how instructional coaching is helping with that.

“The sole purpose, is to increase student achievement,” said Angela Kent, whose guidance is primarily in math.

Instructional coaching comes in a lot of different ways, such as working with teachers to close the gap between what students know and what they need to know. It also involves being a classroom supporter, data coach, resource researcher or a catalyst for change.

They also help teachers plan for lessons and units, with essential learning outcomes.

“We’ve spent a lot of time the last couple years, looking at the standard,” said Kent.

The coaches can also help through modeled lessons, where they go into a classroom and teach that day’s lesson, while the teacher observes.

“And then, hopefully, apply that to some of his or her practices in the future,” said Heather Matherne, who is English/language arts.

Coaches also report to administration about what is going on, so they are kept in the loop.

“It helps us make decisions moving forward,” said district administrator Josh Spaeth.

During the meeting, the board approved the hire of head girls wrestling coach Greg Sonnentag; assistant girls wrestling coach Jake Faber; and junior/senior high school library aid Ashley Doro.