What Makes a Math Coach Special with Staci Erickson, Ep. 105 Buzzing with Ms. B: The Coaching Podcast

Do you want to learn more about the many coaching opportunities available in education?

This month on The Coaching Podcast we're starting a new series about different coaching positions and I can't wait. I'm calling it "A Place for Everyone". We'll explore various coaching roles and learn directly from coaches working in the field.

I wanted to begin the series with a math coach because I get a lot of questions about their role and whether general strategies will transition to this very specific type of coaching. To help us learn more, I invited Staci Erickson of Math Coach Minute to the show to talk about coaching math. Staci is a math instructional coach in Texas and she does fantastic work with her teachers.

In this episode, we talk about what makes a math coach special and unique from other types of instructional coaches. Staci shares the journey she took to become a coach, details on her current role, and what you need to know to become a math coach. She tells us about some of her biggest challenges, how she helps her teachers break down state standards, and ways to create a safe space for teachers to discuss their work.

If you're a math coach or considering becoming one, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn more about what makes math coaches special and how they help their teachers grow in their practice.

Topics and Questions Discussed in Episode 105 - What Makes a Math Coach Special with Staci Erickson

• The lasting impact of supporting colleagues
• What math coaches do
• What a typical day looks like at school
• Being the lone math coach in a district
• Planning units with vertical and horizontal alignment
• Analyzing and breaking apart TEKS and other state standards
• How to differentiate yourself as a math coach
• Training, schooling, and experience need to become a math coach
• Tracking the effectiveness and impact of your coaching
• Creating a safe space place for teachers to talk about their work
• Examining data and having honest, productive conversations
• What to say to teachers when you don't have the answers
• Biggest challenges as a math coach
• Common misconceptions about teaching math
• What you need to know about getting started as a math coach
• How to get to know your teachers, build relationships, and not take feedback personally
• Transitioning to math coaching from another coaching position

Ready to listen? You can listen below with the media player, or search for Buzzing with MS. B: The Coaching Podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts!

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