Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Teacher Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Gilbert expands Collaborative Coaching Hour to support teacher retention and classroom instruction
Summary
District staff described a high-school-focused Collaborative Coaching Hour that embeds department chairs and instructional coaches into teachers’ prep time to improve instruction and retention, with initial rollout showing promising retention at Highland High and expansion underway at other high schools.
Gilbert Public Schools presented an academic spotlight on Collaborative Coaching Hour at the Dec. 10 board meeting, describing a district effort to embed coaching, content expertise and learning walks in teachers’ instructional day to support early-career teachers and strengthen classroom instruction.
Mr. Ryan, district teaching-and-learning staff, introduced the topic and said the model originally implemented at Highland High School produced strong results. Julie Oster, district professional-growth staff, outlined the model’s core features: a dedicated time during teachers’ prep period when department chairs and instructional coaches are available to work side by side with teachers; content-specific support that helps teachers break down priority standards and create clarity maps; active-learning strategy coaching; and learning-walk opportunities where teachers can observe mastery teaching on campus.
Presenters said the program improves teacher confidence and retention. The district provided a Highland High example in which 11 of 11 participating teachers elected to continue in the program the following year; Gilbert High School opened its weekly collaborative coaching hours to all staff, including veteran teachers, and reported strong voluntary attendance. Staff noted the model is currently at an early stage of district rollout and identified implementation constraints: many instructional coaches are new this year and master schedules on some campuses do not yet align to provide consistent coverage across every period. District staff said they are planning schedule adjustments for next year to improve consistent access to coaches.
Program details and clarifications provided in the presentation: • Timing: Collaborative Coaching Hour takes place during teachers’ prep time (not lunch), enabling teachers to plan with coaches present. • Scope: Initially rolled out at high schools; district staff said the model may be adapted for junior highs and eventually elementary schools, but acknowledged elementary implementation presents additional scheduling challenges. • Staffing: District staff said each high school has two instructional coaches (typically one focused on English-language arts and one on math). • Participation: Staff indicated 1st- and 2nd-year teachers are expected to participate; some campuses have opened the sessions to veteran teachers by choice.
Board members praised the approach and suggested building peer-sharing opportunities (asking second-year teachers to present for incoming first-year teachers) to scale the program and recognize participants. Staff described additional training for department chairs and PLC leads as part of ongoing implementation.
Why it matters: Embedding targeted coaching into the school day addresses proven retention drivers—community and classroom support—while aiming to improve instruction across campuses. District staff said the approach reduces the need for after-hours PD and supports teacher well-being and effectiveness.
What’s next: Staff will continue phased rollout, address master-schedule constraints for the following year and provide additional training to instructional coaches and department leaders.
