School principals want all children to do well, but are often at a loss as to how to support prekindergarten classes. Most instructional leaders have taught upper grades and attended educator certification programs with very little focus on early childhood development. Cathy has worked with several districts to develop customized training and follow up support specifically for school leaders and coaches.  

 

Clever hands-on experiences and reflection opportunities prompt “aha moments” about early learning.  Training is followed by collaborative learning walks. Cathy leads administrative teams through classroom observations focused on quality. 

 

Leaders:

• Shift what they look for during classroom walk throughs

• Approach yearly teacher observations with increased clarity

• Provide feedback that helps teachers increase instructional practices that have the greatest effect on student outcomes

 

With increased levels of confidence, instructional school coaches spend more time supporting early learning teachers.  

 

Honestly- this [early learning training for school leaders] was one of the very best, most relevant trainings I’ve ever been too!

RRISD Principal 

 

Doing these Pre-K classroom walks prepares me to know what to look for when I return to do TTESS observations.

RRISD Principal  

 

Additionally, Cathy has helped several districts develop concise lists of essentials for every high quality pre-kindergarten classroom.  The “essentials” clearly define and align expectations among all staff, from the classroom to the district level and increase equity across classrooms.  Cathy designed customized training and observational forms to support implementation of the essentials. Teachers, coaches, and school leaders developed a common language about the key priorities for quality in every early learning classroom. 

 

Cathy is really good at taking a vision and converting it into a concrete actionable plan. 

Margo Vogelpohl

Round Rock ISD Director of Federal Programs

 

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During COVID, Cathy provided virtual instructional coaching to multiple new to grade level Pre-K teachers to help them implement the Essentials. 

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As an experienced teacher re-entering education at a new grade level, I received exactly the professional development I needed in coaching with Cathy.

 

In our coaching sessions, Cathy listened to my questions, affirmed my strengths, and offered her expertise tailored to my specific situation.  She helped me think through classroom issues, answered questions about early childhood best practices, and worked with me to set specific goals. 

 

Our coaching sessions transformed my classroom and the quality of instruction I provided to my students. In this year of isolation and uncertainty, Cathy was a reassuring, caring, and dependable presence.   I left each session feeling encouraged and inspired to keep growing and working hard for my students.

Erika Pierson

RRISD Pre-K Teacher 

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