Educational Experts Reveal How Instructional Coaches Can Deepen the Work of Collaborative Teams

Bloomington, Ind. (December 19, 2018)—In Make It Happen: Coaching With the Four Critical Questions of PLCs at Work®—published by Solution Tree—authors Kim Bailey and Chris Jakicic provide instructional coaches with the tools they need to support collaborative teacher teams.

The processes and protocols within the book are grounded in the Professional Learning Communities at Work® (PLC) model, which frames the work of collaborative teams around four critical questions:

1. What is it we expect our students to learn?
2. How will we know when they have learned it?
3. How will we respond when some students do not learn?
4. How will we respond when some students already know it?

“The nature of this work is to build common clarity across teams about what they consider essential for student learning, to gather common evidence of that learning, and work together to support students who may struggle with attaining skills or require differentiation and challenge,” explain Bailey and Jakicic in the book’s introduction. “The instructional coach can play a vital role in supporting teams as they answer the critical questions and work in a continuous cycle of improvement.”

Each chapter begins with coaching background information and a discussion about how the school’s context may impact the work of teams and addresses the research around why teams should engage in this work. The chapters also include coaching tips, insights, templates, activities and charts for coaches to use with their schools and teams, as well as vignettes related to some of the most common issues a coach may face.

“Make It Happen not only defines what good coaching looks like, it also demonstrates how coaching can positively impact teaching and learning,” said Julie Schmidt, superintendent of schools, Kildeer District 96 in Illinois. “The visuals, protocols and reflection opportunities in this book will help school leaders and coaches learn together, focus their work and provide clarity and support for collaborative teams.”

Make It Happen is now available to order at SolutionTree.com.

About the Authors
Kim Bailey is former director of professional development and instructional support for the Capistrano Unified School District in California. As a consultant, Kim works with educators nationwide to build effective leadership of PLCs. She is passionate about empowering teams with practical, collaborative strategies for aligning instruction, assessment and interventions with the standards so that all students receive high-quality instruction.

Chris Jakicic, EdD, an author and a consultant, was principal of Woodlawn Middle School in Illinois from 1999 to 2007. Through her work with teachers and administrators, Dr. Jakicic emphasizes that effective teaming is the heart of PLCs. She also shares practical knowledge about how to use data conversations to interpret classroom information for effective instruction.

Learn more about Solution Tree.