ROLE 1: RESOURCE PROVIDER
Choosing What Matters Most
In her book “Taking the Lead,” Joellen Killion speaks about 10 roles that coaches take on as they work with increasing teacher capacity. Today, we’ll explore the Resource Provider Role.
Early in her career, Joellen learned a lesson many educators recognize: access to resources doesn’t automatically lead to better instruction. What matters is which resources are shared, when, and why.
As a Resource Provider, the goal isn’t accumulation… it’s discernment. In literacy work, educators are often surrounded by materials, programs, and tools. Without clarity of purpose, even helpful resources can become overwhelming.
Joellen’s approach centers on capacity. She encourages coaches and leaders to ask whether a resource helps educators think more deeply about instruction or simply adds another item to the list. When resources are aligned to instructional goals and introduced at the right moment, they support growth instead of dependency.
In schools where this role is used well, conversations shift. Instead of “Here’s something new,” the question becomes, “What support would be most helpful right now?”
Action Step:
Before sharing a resource this week, clarify the instructional decision it supports.
Learning Forward Standards Alignment:
The Resource Provider role is closely connected to:
- Resources standard, which emphasizes intentional investment of time, expertise, and materials and
- Learning Foundations, which highlights the structures that support sustained professional learning.
This kind of intentional learning is exactly what we’ll explore together at the Learning Forward Georgia Winter PL Conference on February 27, 2026.
Details and registration are available on our website.