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117: collaborative math coaching with Nicora Placa

On Today’s Episode on Collaborative Math Coaching with Nicora Placa:

  • What learning opportunities do teachers need from coaches/PL?
  • What is collaborative coaching and how does it complement one on one coaching?
  • What are the 6 tools?
  • What are 2 things educators listening could do right now to start to shift the culture of collaboration in their school? 

About Our Guest: Nicora Placa

Nicora Placa is an assistant professor in mathematics education at Hunter College. Previously, she taught elementary and middle school mathematics in New York City. She is passionate about supporting teachers, honoring their expertise, and creating learning opportunities for them to hone their craft. Her first book “6 Tools for Collaborative Mathematics Coaching” was published by Stenhouse in 2023. She also serves as Coaching Coordinator on the NCSM Leadership in Mathematics Education Board.

Find Nicora Here:

  • Twitter/ X–  NicoraPlaca

What are the 6 tools?

  • Building community & teams – how will we work together, what do we value, what does coaching look like for us
    • Sense of urgency in our work– so we rush the work. 
    • Paras, specialists, admin– thinking about the role they play in the team
  • Student Interviews- shifts the tone of the meeting quickly because we start to focus on student thinking. Our love of students is what holds us together. Curiosity about student thinking as a result of a student interview is groundbreaking!
    • Changing belief system
  • Observations of classrooms– coaches lens to student doing, patterns you notice that you can build on
  • Learning Walk – teacher led
  • Rehearsing routines – practicing with adults before bringing into our classroom
    • Opportunity to be vulnerable without a lot of risk 
    • Administrators 
    • Fear with trying something to do
  • Lesson Study
collaborative math coaching with Nicora Placa quote

Advice for Math Coaches:

  • Be the advocate between administrators and teachers
  • find time for what they value
  • Build relationships between administrators and teachers
  • Be strategic about the time you are given – what’s the high yield work?
  • Visit classrooms

Collaborative Math Coaching:

  • Learning together – we’re all getting better together 
  • Every year I’m constantly learning 
  • This is the approach – learn from each other
  • Mirror teachers and students
  • Teachers advocate– online, book clubs, coaches
  • Change occurs in a school– through culture and collaboration.
collaborative math coaching with Nicora Placa

You might also like:
Guide to Engaging Math Discussions

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