The Role of the Instructional Coach for Technology

Coming into the role of Instructional Coach for Technology is challenging. There tends to misperceptions about the nature of the role. Is this person a coach? If so, what exactly is being coached? Is this person a technician? Both? Something else? Is this person evaluating me and going to tell me I’m doing something wrong? These are great questions. Here is how the role is defined at SSIS:

The role of the Instructional Coach for Technology is to collaborate with the teacher in planning for instruction and to provide ongoing professional development to teachers to assist them in developing the skills necessary to use and integrate technology into the program at SSIS. 

The role does not have an evaluative component to it. I am simply a mentor, supporter, and collaborator in the process of integrating technology. Will we have conversations about pedagogical approaches that may be different than your current practices? Yes. This is likely. But, when this happens it is not meant to say your current practices are bad or wrong. You wouldn’t have been hired if you weren’t a great teacher. It will simply be to support the notion that we don’t want to technology integration to be seen as an add-on on top of everything else you do. If we see technology as an add-on, it will create more stress for teachers and students. Effective technology integration occurs with small and sometimes large shifts in lesson and unit structure, time allotment, and purpose. Thus, it’s inevitable we will discuss these pedagogical components along with the tech tools and processes being recommended. It is possible, however, that I will say integrating technology is not necessary in some instances. The current pedagogical approach may be the best approach. If that is recognized, then that will be honored.

We need to give students the opportunity and teach them to use technology in efficient, productive, responsible, and creative ways in all academic classrooms. If we don’t, we are doing them a disservice as educators. I am here to support you so that we can enhance your curriculum to incorporate these opportunities with technology in authentic, meaningful activities for the students. This is what my job is intended to do in helping teachers. With some calculated risk-taking, fruitful collaboration, and open conversations, we can achieve the need to give students these opportunities. I am very happy to be here and I am looking forward to working with you all!