Amanda Oltman amoltman@mchenrycountyil.gov Phone:  (815) 347-9784 CLICK HERE to request support.

Ms. Oltman, Instructional Coach Coordinator, has a role to assist teachers, schools, and districts with teaching and learning with an emphasis in literacy and math.  Please email or call Amanda to learn how she can assist your school and classrooms.  Below is a list of possible objectives to be delivered.  

• Professional Learning: At the request of schools, instructional coaches will work directly with teachers to provide ongoing professional development to help improve teaching skills, implement effective teaching strategies, and stay updated with the latest educational research and best practices. 

• Increase Teacher Content Knowledge: At the request of schools, instructional coaches will work to ensure that all teachers have a strong understanding of literacy and mathematical concepts and how to teach them effectively through activities such as targeted professional development and individual coaching sessions that focus on deepening teachers' content knowledge and pedagogical skills.  

• Support Curriculum Implementation: At the request of schools, instructional coaches will assist in the rollout and implementation of the newly adopted ISBE Literacy Plan and research-based Mathematics to ensure teachers understand the curriculum standards and are able to effectively deliver content to students. This may include curriculum mapping and the development of unit plans that are coherent and sequentially appropriate.  

• Model and Observation: At the request of schools, instructional coaches will model lessons in classrooms and provide feedback based on observations.  

• Facilitate Collaboration: At the request of schools, instructional coaches will foster collaboration among teachers through organizing and leading professional learning communities or other groups where teachers can share ideas, discuss challenges, and support each other's growth.  

• Data-Driven Instruction: At the request of schools, instructional coaches will assist teachers in using student performance data to guide instructional decisions, differentiate instruction, and implement intervention strategies. This will involve helping teachers interpret data, understand its implications for teaching, and adjust instruction accordingly to meet student needs.  

• Emotional and Moral Support: At the request of schools, instructional coaches will serve as a sounding board for teachers' concerns and challenges and work to boost morale and maintain a positive school environment.