Coach Training

While we welcome coaches with previous writing experience, volunteers for WriterCoach Connection need no specific background in writing. If you have an interest in education or writing, or if you are a parent or community member who wants to foster success in public school children, WCC coaching is for you. Parents and guardians will gain skills they can use at home to help their own children.

Before you begin to coach, we will prepare you to identify writers' strengths, to encourage their efforts, and to make specific, memorable suggestions for improvement. During coach training we share innovative methods for guiding young writers. We also encourage you in role-play exercises to help you develop consistent responses to students' needs.

Prior to coaching you will:

1. Complete a WCC training--two 3-hour workshops.
Trainings run from September to February. Register for a WCC training.

2. Observe experienced WCC coaches.
Before you begin coaching, you will accompany an experienced WCC coach during a coaching session. You will observe your coach, then take over the coaching role, with continued mentoring by experienced coaches.

3. Complete the Berkeley School Volunteer (BSV) orientation.
(Berkeley coaches only)
The BSV orientation is 90 minutes and is required only for coaches volunteering in Berkeley schools. It is not required for Albany coaches. View BSV orientation schedule.

Once trained, volunteers work two hours a week or more in assigned classrooms throughout the academic year. Once or twice a year, coaches participate in supportive "coach clinics" that provide opportunities for in-service feedback, reflection, and review.

 

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