Last fall when Lakota Local Schools Superintendent, Matthew Miller, signed the Future Ready Pledge, the district’s instructional coaches went to work. Using the Future Ready Schools (FRS) Instructional Coaches Framework as a guide, coaches began to learn about the 8 components of the FRS Instructional Coach gear to support personalized learning in all Lakota classrooms. Instructional coaches Lori Vanover and Katie Enneking took their learning one step further. They facilitated conversations beginning with Lakota teachers about what it means to be a Future Ready Teacher, and continued this work to include other local school districts during a presentation at the High Aims Summer Institute.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect when I asked teachers to look at their practice and how it aligned with the components of being Future Ready. As we worked through the process of defining a Future Ready Teacher, I could see excitement that has since sparked a revolution of change for our students. Whether in the actual physical classroom environment, the innovative teaching and learning, or finding their own passions, Lakota teachers are moving themselves and their students into the Future. As an instructional coach, It is an absolute joy to be a part of their journey.” – Lori Vanover
These Lakota coaches knew they played a vital role in helping the teachers fulfill the vision of moving toward a more personalized approach to learning. Lori and Katie posed the question to teachers, “What would a FRS Teacher Framework look like? The teachers had plenty to share in each of the eight areas of the Future Ready Framework, as shown below.
Now that teachers have considered what it means to be a Future Ready Teacher, with the support of their Future Ready Instructional Coaches, they are:
- strengthening their instructional capacity
- creating learner-driven experiences using data and technology
- Creating flexible learning environments
- Supporting a classroom culture that fosters trust, collaboration and teamwork through a shared district vision.
“When I presented this at the High Aims Summer Institute it was thrilling to see the excitement of teachers across the city working through this process. They are making significant changes in their classrooms for their students because their impact was revealed as we dug deeper into the layers of the framework.,” says Katie Enneking.
Lori, Katie and all of the Lakota Instructional Coaches are using their curriculum, technology and pedagogy knowledge to empower Lakota teachers to be the change agents for Future Ready Schools.
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Katie Enneking has been with the Lakota Local School district for most of her career. She is in her 5th year as an instructional coach, and prior to that she served as an intervention specialist for 13 years. Most of her experience in special education was providing services to students in grades 4-6.
Lori Vanover is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher and has been with the Lakota Local School District her entire career spanning 28 years. She spent most of that time as a sixth grade teacher. Lori is in her 5th year as an Instructional Coach for the district.
