Valuable Lessons Learned from the ELP Pilot-Before-the-Pilot

Despite the numerous and well-documented hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many silver linings emerged in unexpected places.

Mary Jane Morris

For Mary Jane Morris, Director of IEA Teaching and Learning and the Program Director for the Illinois Virtual Instructional Coach and Building Mentor Program for the Illinois Education Association (IEA), it was the opportunity to launch ELP’s virtual coaching and mentoring model.

“The Illinois State Board of Education was seeking to support the pre-service teachers who were graduating in spring 2020, and many had not completed their in-classroom student teaching,” Mary Jane explained. “So the question became, how could we in Illinois support the new teachers when we’re already facing a teacher shortage? IEA had been working with ELP on the development of a new professional support initiative, so we approached the state board with that idea. It was very well received, and we fully launched what ELP calls the pilot-before-the-pilot program in October 2020 with the matching of new teachers to their virtual coach occurring in January 2021.”

Many lessons learned during the pilot-before-the-pilot

Because the IEA was building the plane as they were flying it, numerous changes have been made to ensure the program runs more smoothly in Fall 2021. One of the biggest takeaways was learning that new teachers need to start the school year with support. Beginning the program in January of this year – after they had already finished their first semester of teaching - was difficult. New teachers had a tough time engaging in the program, because they worked with their coach after their contractual workday had ended. “New teachers were already stressed and asking them to participate in yet another program was a big ask,” Mary Jane pointed out. “For fall 2021, we reworked our budget and will be providing new teachers with a stipend. After all, they are participating outside of their normal work hours.”

The IEA also learned a lot about what would be most helpful for virtual coaches and building mentors. One is going back to the basics and not assuming they know how to effectively coach or mentor a new teacher. Additionally, they learned that many virtual coaches and building mentors needed some conversation starters when reaching out to new teachers. Both elements will be embedded in their training for this next year.

Increased and early communication with district administrators and locals will also be key to the program’s success. Because the Pilot-Before-the-Pilot launched after the start of school, having those conversations was difficult due to the timing. However, those conversations are crucial to the program’s success. “Once administrators and local union leadership have a better understanding of what they can do to help support the program, new teachers and building mentors will greatly benefit,” Mary Jane continued. “The IEA has already been invited to many union-wide meetings and district orientations for new teachers and mentors. We’ll have a presence at those meetings so we can explain the program, answer questions, etc.”

Despite the many challenges IEA faced in getting the program up and running, the virtual coaches and building mentors showed unceasing dedication to this work. They have gone above and beyond many times and shown great leadership. “It really impresses me that we have such wonderful teachers who are dedicated to the craft and helping others,” Mary Jane said.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive

Teachers, district administrators and union leadership have been very open with sharing their feedback, which is necessary to help the IEA (and, by extension, ELP) improve the program.

New teachers have reported that the program is helping them increase their effectiveness as a teacher. “But one of the biggest benefits they mention is being able to talk to someone who is not in their building or district,” Mary Jane pointed out. “The virtual coach does more than provide curriculum support and classroom management techniques that they might not have at the district level. Coaching gives new teachers confidence; they know someone is there to support them when they need it. And they know that whatever they share with their coach will not be repeated.”

Locals greatly appreciate the leadership opportunities the program provides to the Virtual Instructional Coaches and Building Mentors. They feel it’s a great bang for the buck (dues they are paying), and it shows the value of collaboration among the unions, locals and districts.

Districts noted the value of this collaboration as well. Most districts cannot provide this level of support for new teachers because they don’t have the staff or budget in place. “Many districts have also said that our program is very different from traditional mentoring programs,” Mary Jane said. “High-quality, dedicated teachers are working with new teachers, and because they’re outside the district, new ideas are brought in and shared.”

The ripple effect is a game-changer

Mary Jane has also noticed the potentially far-reaching impact of idea-sharing. New ideas are flowing in multiple directions, not just from Virtual Instructional Coaches and Building Mentors to new teachers. New teachers, who are fresh out of college, share with their coaches and Building Mentors, as well. But it doesn’t stop there.

“The small ripple is having a huge impact on the schools we’re working with,” Mary Jane proudly noted. “When you add up all the touches of the new teachers, Virtual Instructional Coaches and Building Mentors, new ideas are being broadly shared among various groups. I knew the program would support new teachers, but the impact on others has been amazing - and a wonderful surprise.”

Mary Jane is also hopeful that the Illinois Virtual Coach and Building Mentor Program will help address Illinois’ chronic teacher shortage. “Without these supports, teachers are leaving the profession in droves,” she said. “The districts we’re talking with have a lot of new staff because veteran staff are leaving. We’re going to grow this program into something that is valuable not only to new teachers but also to districts.”

If you work in a state-wide teachers’ union, local union chapter or school district and would like to learn more about the ELP Program or the Illinois Virtual Coach and Building Mentor Program, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at info@educatorsleadingtheprofession.org.