Ms. Dobrowolsky is literacy coach and teacher

By Sadie Jackson

Ms. Dobrowolsky, teacher of English, and newspaper is also a literacy coach.

“…Coaching is a refreshing way educators can improve from within,” Marge Scherer (as posted on Educational Leadership magazine and website).

“My schedule changes daily depending on who needs me where,” Dobrowolsky said.

She teaches four periods and coaches four periods every day.

Dobrowolsky does various things as a literacy coach; she is sometimes a “cheerleader” offering encouragement. Other times she is a researcher, or an extra pair of eyes. She also helps teachers with a lesson or planning, and helps them teach novels. Anything that involves reading and writing Dobrowolsky can help with.

“I have worked with Ms. Dobrowolsky on two large projects, one each year for the last two years. She is wonderful to work with, on so many levels! She offers exciting new ideas that I can bring into my classroom instruction. She provides a new perspective on work that I do every day. This can be very helpful for both me and my students,” Mr. McNitt, TAHS economics and US history teacher stated.

Right now Dobrowolsky is the only literacy coach at TAHS. Last year Mr. Rutter, English teacher, helped but does not this year.

“I am excited for some of the new changes that she is helping me integrate into my curriculum. We will have an entirely new year-end project that I think the students will truly enjoy. In my mind, Ms. Dobrowolsky is the cat’s pajamas!” McNitt stated.

Once a month she facilitates a before, during, and after (BDA) meeting for HS staff in the TAMS & HS library where she discusses before, during and after research based literacy activities. The meeting usually lasts about forty minutes.

“I always get to observe great teachers. When I see their ideas I get excited!” Dobrowolsky exclaimed.

Dobrowolsky definitely feels the stress of being an English and newspaper teacher and a literacy coach.

“It’s really hard to find a balance. I always do their stuff before my own,” Dobrowolsky said.

She deals with the stresses by taking a walk.