Teachers as Coaches?
Most of us ELP Coordinators had been
teachers just a few weeks before the
implementation of the Early Learners
Programme intervention. As it turns
out, that made the biggest difference,
because we could relate clearly to the
excitement, struggles, frustrations and
ultimate successes that all teachers face
in the classroom. We knew that progress
would not be instantaneous, but that it
would be guaranteed. We discovered the
passion that teachers have for teaching,
their dedication to the success of their
students, and their desire to always
improve. Following intense and in-depth
training in coaching and mentoring, ELP
Coordinators in the six member states
were equipped to provide support to
teachers in over 300 schools and to help
teachers extend on their repertoire of
effective teaching practices. Although the
challenges were many, the professional
development through the application of
teaching and learning theory, as well as
professional interactions with parents,
teachers and other educators, was almost
immeasurable.
An equal measure of value is gained as
we support teachers to coach each other.
The collaborative effort can lead to
exponential growth, as we have seen.
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