Instructional Coaches Support and Inspire Teachers With
PBS TeacherLine’s Multimedia Resources

‘PBS TeacherLine Peer Connection’ Enhanced with Additional Subject Area Content

Arlington, Va. (Oct. 18, 2007) - Instructional coaches, who are responsible for onsite, ongoing professional development for their peers, need high-quality resources and training to deliver on specific district initiatives and student performance goals. As more districts nationwide implement formal coaching programs, they can turn to PBS TeacherLine® Peer Connection for an expansive online suite of multimedia resources and tools that support educators with coaching responsibilities. PBS TeacherLine Peer Connection now offers more research-based, standards-aligned content in K-12 math, reading, and instructional technology.

Through PBS TeacherLine Peer Connection, coaches can build a customized, practical professional development program for teachers whether they approach coaching in a face-to-face, online, or blended model. Coaches have access to a rich library of instructional strategies and resources they can draw upon while helping teachers accomplish their goals. Jeanne Spencer, a coach for Laurens School District 56 in Clinton, S.C., commented, “The quality of materials are very aligned with the resources I am being exposed to through my coaches training from the state.”

PBS TeacherLine Peer Connection offers:

Tutorials and support for coaches as they learn how to be a “guide on the side” while facilitating adult learning and building a community of learners.
High-quality multimedia resources, such as videos on best practices and research-based articles, in one searchable location along with a system to rate, tag, and comment on all resources within the library.
Coaching Modules, which are resource sets that incorporate both theoretical and practical information to support teachers’ learning goals and provide a framework for setting expectations and outcomes around particular instructional strategies.
An embedded communication system to easily and quickly access and forward specific resources to one or more teachers.
An online community to bring together coaches, teachers, and practice groups for effective collaboration through discussion boards, resource sharing, and other tools.

“PBS TeacherLine [Peer Connection] helped me find engaging online interactives that my students loved,” said Katherine Hartmann, a math teacher at East High School in Rochester, N.Y. “It was so easy to search for them myself and view the suggestions from my colleagues and coach. This tool was the fastest way I’ve ever been able to find and share high-quality resources.”

Full subscription service is available to schools, districts and coaching consultants.

More Information

Take the tour at PBS TeacherLine Peer Connection.

For the full story on PBS TeacherLine, visit www.pbs.org/teacherline.

To learn more about PBS, go to www.pbs.org.

About PBS TeacherLine

PBS TeacherLine is committed to helping teachers acquire the skills they need to prepare students for a successful future. PBS TeacherLine provides high-quality, affordable professional development through facilitated, online courses, collaborative learning communities, and exemplary Internet-based resources. Currently, more than 100 courses across multiple subject areas are offered. Teachers can earn continuing education units, professional development points and graduate credits for course completion. The courses have been developed in conjunction with leading education organizations, including Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL), Education Development Center (EDC), Concord Consortium, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and International Society for Technology Education. Created in 2000, PBS TeacherLine is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for $6,046,811. This represents approximately 85 percent of the total program funding. The remaining 15 percent is funded through in-kind support from PBS and through program income.

About PBS

PBS is a media enterprise that serves 355 public noncommercial television stations and reaches more than 75 million people each week through on-air and online content. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is a leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of other educational services. PBS’ premier kids’ TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (www.pbskids.org), continue to be parents’ and teachers’ most trusted learning environments for children.

Contacts

PBS
Kevin Dando
703-739-5073
kdando at pbs dot org
www.pbs.org

PBS TeacherLine
Tim Lum
703-739-5252
tlum at pbs dot org
www.pbs.org/teacherline

C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
Charlene Blohm
608-839-9800
charlene at cblohm dot com
www.cblohm.com