Forest View Elementary School

Margaret Goodwin

Classroom Teacher

(847) 593-4359

Goodwin.Peggy@ccsd59.org

Collapse Full Teacher Bio

First Year at CCSD59

1991

Degrees

- Administration Certification, 30 hours Concordia University
- Masters of Arts in Teacher Leadership, North Park University
- Bachelors of Science, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Work Experience

- I have been in District 59 for 27 years. I have worked at Rupley Elementary School, Juliette Low, Clearmont, Ridge and Forest View. I have taught physical education, adaptive physical education, reading resource, 5th grade, 4th grade, 4/5 multiage, 4/5 looping, math instructional coach and instructional coach.
- I also worked for Gap Inc as a sales associate and an assistant manager for 14 years from 1989-2003 in conjunction with teaching at District 59.

Professional Interests

I am a member of The Chicago Coaching Center. I help to plan and provide professional development for instructional coaches and teachers. I serve as a mentor coach through the Illinois Council of Instructional Coaching.

Biography

I have been married for 28 years. I have 3 children, 2 dogs and 3 cats. I love running, photography, traveling, painting, scrapbooking and spending time with my family and pets.

What is An Instructional Coach?

An instructional coach is a certified instructional practitioner whose chief responsibility is to bring high impact instructional practices into the classroom by working directly with teachers and school leaders. In District 59, we use Diane Sweeney’s Student Centered Coaching Framework.

Why do we need instructional coaches?

Most professions have some form of coaching or mentoring as an essential part of mastering requisite skills. The education profession is now utilizing instructional coaching as an effective strategy to enhance teacher expertise, increase student achievement and advance school reform. Our coaches provide personalized professional development to teachers. Having a growth mindset is paramount for lifelong learning. School leaders, educators and coaches all have room for professional growth; thinking otherwise is a fixed mindset.

How does instructional coaching enhance the system?

Instructional coaching is job-embedded training and addresses issues teachers face in their classrooms daily. It is ongoing collaboration and professional development, not a one time workshop. The goal is not only to enhance instructional practice but to also improve student learning. When teachers share and collaborate about their impact on student learning, everyone becomes a richer practitioner which directly benefits student learning.