Consulting / Mentoring

IDE consultants bring about instructional and organizational change through a proven combination of on-site workshops, on-site mentoring, and off-site support. Workshops provide participants with opportunities to learn new strategies and plan for their own classrooms and schools. IDE consultants model the theories and strategies they promote in their workshops. Problem-based learning, differentiated instruction, technology infusion, collaborative learning, workplace-readiness skills, and performance-based assessment are some of the characteristics of IDE training. Through the workshop, participants are immersed in the very learning environments they seek to create.

However, putting new strategies into practice is not without its challenges. On-site mentoring allows consultants to provide just-in-time feedback and suggestions. Typically, a consultant is on site anywhere from once a month to once a week to meet with each participant. Between on-site visits, participants contact consultants through email to ask questions, request feedback, and share successes and challenges.

Change expert Michael Fullan proposes that substantive change is brought about through a careful balance of pressure and support. Typically, the organization provides the pressure through clearly defined expectations, while IDE consultants provide the support to help the participants meet those expectations.

The first step prior to beginning a consulting / mentoring relationship is to have IDE consultants conduct a study of the district or organization.