C.L.A.S.S. Coaching

for New Principals, 2nd and 3rd Year Principals, and Other New Administrators

C.L.A.S.S. (Coaching Leaders to Attain Student Success) is a research-based program that prepares former principals to coach new principals and assistant principals to help them develop skills and strategies necessary to be strong and competent leaders.  CLASS, developed by New Teacher Center, is comprised of these components:

• 3-day CLASS training for former effective principals who want to become coaches
• In-person coaching for new administrators 10-16 times per year
• Continuous training for new administrators in four professional development sessions, called Leadership Institutes
• CLASS Network, a network for CLASS-trained mentors who meet 5 times a year for further training, reflection and networking support

PROCEDURES: CEC will....

1.  Train qualified potential coaches/mentors through a 3-day CLASS training, presented by NTC.

2. Select coaches/mentors to match with new administrators, and complete the matching.

COACHING/MENTORING

1.  Mentor and new administrator sign a contract to commit to mentoring relationship and process.

2.  Mentor, new administrator, supervisor meet to establish goals and key areas for work for the year.

3.  Mentors begin mentoring, regularly and frequently (depending upon the amount requested).

4.  Mentors attend and critique a school meeting, study school issues with the principal, work with the teacher supervision process, and perform walk-arounds as some of the mentoring work.

5.  Mentor and new administrator address timely issues, identify key school improvement areas, and address the ISLLC standards for school leadership.

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (LI)

1.  Structured professional development sessions, called Leadership Institutes, are established, four per year, for ongoing training of new principals and administrators.

2.  LI sessions are presented by LI-trained facilitators.

3.  Sessions include teaching, discussion, group work, practice of skills, reflection and planning.

4.  New administrators evaluate LI and coaching program at mid-year and at end of year.

N.B. Illinois Administrator Academy credit is available for a 6-hour session.

COACHES/MENTORS NETWORK

1.  Coaches/mentors meet 5 times per year - to further develop skills, share progress and concerns, and reflect on their work.

2.  Mentors are involved in planning the work of LI and of CLASS Network.

3.  Mentors evaluate the program at mid-year and at the end of the year.

For more information contact  Jane Gard at jane.gard@comcast.net, or at 773.841.8368 cell.