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Coach Class

Submitted by Brett, Apr 27, 2007 20:31

... myopic articles such this.

The author seems to suggest that coaching professions to hone their craft is somehow bullying the creativity out of the classroom. Ms. Feinberg is so short sighted. What Teachers College Reading and Writing Project does is act as guide to improve literacy instruction. It is similar to doctors completing in-service training or lawyers attending Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses. Would you want a doctor to treat you with technology from 30 years ago? Would you want a lawyer who is not informed about the latest laws enacted? Of course not. Yet the author seems to imply that it is somehow wrong to teach teachers something new. Teachers College Reading and Writing Project is a researched-based professional development program that is, quite frankly, the best in the United States. It is world-renowned for its research, publications, and programs. It does not contain "Byzantine structures or questionable content" unless teaching students to read and write with more volume and more depth is "questionable." The New York Department of Education would be foolish not to tap into their knowledge when such a prestigious program is right in the heart of their school system.

Since my school started working with Teachers College three years ago, we have gone from 47.6% students at or above grade level on the New York State English Language Arts Test to 81.4% at or above grade level. Our halls bloom with children's stories, articles and poems. Students love literacy and the teachers love teaching it. Don't other New York City Schools deserve the same type of improvement?

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
Actually, utilizing a literacy coach in schools is a research based strategy that improves instruction. The coach should be a... [MORE]	Patricia	Apr 30, 2007 18:42
While I am not denying the validity of the process, success aldo depends on the capacity of the teachers to... [MORE]	Mike Vizzo	May 3, 2007 20:02
How can you teach so-called professional teachers to teach literacy, when those same public school teachers are illiterate themselves? The public... [MORE]	Mike Vizzo	Apr 30, 2007 18:07
As a former New Yorker who has made a home in Los Angeles for the past 26 years, I can... [MORE]	Charles McCleary	May 1, 2007 16:21
I work in a lot of schools that draw upon the approaches Lucy Calkins and the people who work with... [MORE]	Terri Ruyter	Apr 27, 2007 23:05
How much more $$$ must go down the drain, and how many more children must be hurt before those at... [MORE]	Rena Stanford	Apr 27, 2007 21:49
As an urban middle school literacy coach who works with 600 students and 40 staff members, coaching is all about... [MORE]	Jibby Brown	Jul 31, 2007 07:51
... myopic articles such this. The author seems to suggest that coaching professions to hone their craft is somehow bullying the...	Brett	Apr 27, 2007 20:31
Clearly, either the choice of the coach or the training of the coach did not involve a key component of... [MORE]	Kerin	Apr 27, 2007 11:37
Teacher's College has had a long, profitable relationship with NYC public schools. They have capitalized on their reputation as a... [MORE]	ann	Apr 27, 2007 10:37
Dos this course promote Whole Language, or a mix of methods, or synthetic phonics-first and only? [MORE]	Mona McNee	Apr 27, 2007 08:06
God, what a disappointment: I though this article was about 'Coach' bags, or shoes or other stuff, stuff that's important.... [MORE]	Maury Leon	Apr 27, 2007 14:40
This is in response to the comments of Maury Leon. You said, "So, you have a "coach" coaching a teacher, who... [MORE]	Marie	May 7, 2007 12:04