Cultivating a Math Coaching Practice: A Guide for K-6 Math Educators

Given the current demands of a math teaching practice, this case-based resource helps math coaches, prospective coaches, and administrators develop their knowledge of math content, hone their coaching skills, and enhance their ability to provide professional development for teachers in Grades K-8. Field-tested in a number of school districts nationwide, this concise guide presents authentic accounts of coaching practice, dilemmas, and insights. The cases, written by practicing math coaches, emphasize developing a deep understanding of mathematics, analyzing students’ ideas and teachers’ beliefs about learning, and cultivating teacher learning and growth. Amy Morse provides: math activities that strengthen a coach’s math content knowledge; planning activities to support thoughtful coach-teacher interactions; and, a detailed facilitator’s guide for staff developers leading professional development opportunities for math coaches, providing a detailed agenda, specific examples of participants’ questions, and facilitator responses. Cultivating a Math Coaching Practice gives math leaders the tools to help teachers create quality math programs and bolster student achievement.