teaching teachers
As an Instructional Coach at General Assembly, I am responsible for the quality of instruction across several campuses and transforming industry professionals into teachers. Through training facilitation, modeling best practices, classroom observations, and 1-on-1 coaching, I've fostered hundreds of brilliant leaders to share their subject matter expertise with students who seek to transform their careers into tech.
teacher training
At GA we approach teacher training the same way our instructors will – using a blended format that combines pre-work, online, and in-person learning. I've taught hundreds of instructors around the globe about the principles of adult learning theory and a toolkit of best practices to engage all learners.
teaching workshops
Active Learning
Adult Learning Theory
Checking for Undetstanding
Engagement Strategies
Giving Feedback
Objective-driven learning
Questioning Strategies
instructor rubric
Very early on at GA I worked with a small team of education leaders to develop an assessment tool that would provide instructors with a clear path to developing their teaching skills. The instructor rubric is a tool that can be used by instructors or the managers to identify the level of proficiency they are demonstrating in the classroom, and provides clear guidance on what leveling up looks like.
teaching on a desert island
I often tell my teachers in training that if I could only take one resource with me to a desert island where I was going teach teachers, this comic would be it. It sums up so simply the principles of active learning -- students have to practice and get formative feedback from their instructor in order to master a complex new skill. Lecture and demonstration are essential elements of education, sure, but without opportunities for guided and independent practice while the mind is still malleable, much learning will be short term.
one-page guides
A sheet of key takeaways is an essential deliverable for any training. These summarize lessons that I feel are top priority for any new teacher.