Richmond students | Richmond schools facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=662364085899242&set=a.372137938255193&__tn__=%2CO*F
Richmond students | Richmond schools facebook https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=662364085899242&set=a.372137938255193&__tn__=%2CO*F
The Richmond Community Schools welcomed their new instructional coach at its March 14 board meeting.
Jessica Schlehuber was introduced to the community by Renee Stapels, executive director for curriculum and educational services in the district. Schlehuber discussed initiatives related to mitigating learning loss due to remote learning during the pandemic.
“And this is just an incredible job of embracing this role, making connections with teachers and really helping grow this to play at all possibilities. And I hope that we capture some of the great things that we're doing here,” said Stapels. “So, an instructional coach is an educational leader. Their role is to work to help the professional development of teachers. This is not something that teachers are forced into. It is something that they voluntarily sign up for. I would like to have assistance or help with this. I'm looking for this.”
Stapels added that teachers will have access to Schlehuber to “bounce ideas” off, look at data and facilitate their development. Her job will also involve backing the district’s teachers in an effort to ease their workload.
Instructional coaches help in three main areas at schools — classroom management, curriculum implementation and instructional strategies.
Schlehuber, a former teacher, said that she understands teachers and district staff need help in her area of expertise. She added that she has received positive feedback and is looking forward to helping new teachers with their onboarding process, along with brainstorming sessions regarding lesson plans and school curriculums. New teachers are especially receptive to the coaching as it provides extra support to them as they begin their careers.
Schlehuber and Stapels talked about the impact that they have seen since this program started.
Roughly 80 percent of teachers have reported renewed confidence after being coached, along with more engagement from their students and decreased stress. Thus far over 40 teachers and 800 students have been impacted by this coaching position.
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