ABSTRACT
The proliferation of coaches and coaching programs targeted in high needs areas (e.g., literacy, math, science) in Pre-K-12 schools has provided numerous learning opportunities for teachers. Albeit there are differences in what coaches do, all coaches support teacher and student learning. Oliver (2007) holds resolute that “the purpose of coaching remains consistent and clear: To improve instructional practices of teachers in order to increase student learning” (p. 2). The scope of this book is on professional development nestled within a learning community structure. This chapter is a critically important one as all models of professional development presented in subsequent chapters support the notion of coaching and the benefits coaches provide.
