REMOTE COACHING

Remote Coaching is a customized follow-up service only available for schools and districts that have engaged in Smekens-led professional development. Initial learning opportunities could include:

• Attending a Smekens-sponsored workshop or conference.
• Participating in on-site PD with Smekens consultants.
• Viewing online workshops from webAcademy.
• Learning with a webPD video subscription.

A typical coaching session will last 30 minutes. During the session, the Remote Coach can engage teachers in focused conversations to celebrate progress, address questions, and plan next steps. To optimize participation, schools are encouraged to commit to a minimum of 10 hours of remote coaching during one school year.​

After a school has secured dates to provide Remote Coaching for teachers, the Smekens team then drafts a contract that outlines the details, such as coaching dates, times, objectives, etc. Once the contract is complete, the school contact person and the Remote Coach will work closely to plan for impactful coaching experiences.

After each coaching session, the Smekens Remote Coach provides participants and other select leaders with a written summary of the meeting. After detailing who attended the session and what specific topics were addressed, the summary will highlight the “next steps” teachers were challenged to execute in their own classrooms. While there’s great value in the “face time” that teachers spend with their Smekens Remote Coach, the support doesn’t have to end when the video session is over. Teachers are welcome to email their Remote Coach between video sessions to seek clarification, ask for advice, or to share successes from their classrooms. Ongoing email support is just one of the perks involved with a Remote Coach contract.

Setting up a video conferencing system is simple and inexpensive. All that is required is a broadband internet connection, a webcam with a microphone, a large monitor, and a simple speaker system. These tools, along with free software from Zoom will enable teachers and their Smekens Remote Coach to see and hear one another easily.

Smekens deals in best-practice teaching strategies—not in boxed curriculums. For this reason, remote coaching never requires the purchase of any specific resources. Occasionally, we recommend resources to assist teachers with implementation, but it is never required.

Follow-up consultation with a Smekens Remote Coach begins with quality conversations. But after the relationship has started, it can be solidified further when the Remote Coach visits the school in person to offer face-to-face support. During an on-site visit, the Remote Coach can spend time in classrooms modeling instruction and providing real-time feedback for teachers. This add-on option offers a powerful way to engage teachers and enhance the potential for implementation. Contact Brady Smekens, Director of Professional Development to discuss the options.

Once a Remote Coaching contract is in place, billing for all or part of the contract will begin. Schools and districts then have 30 days to submit payment by check. Credit card payments are not accepted for Remote Coaching.

Schools use a variety of funding sources to pay for Remote Coaching from Smekens. Some of the more common funding sources include the general fund, Title I, Title II-A, private foundation grants, community organizations, parent groups, and more.

After a Remote Coaching contract has been signed by both parties, there is mutual agreement that the contract will not be cancelled. There may be occasions, however, when a session needs to be rescheduled.