Strategies for Coaching Veteran Teachers

We sometimes hear instructional coaches describing their schools as having a lot of veteran teachers. At times, this is framed as a barrier to getting coaching going. After all, veteran teachers don’t need coaching, do they?  When implementing Student-Centered Coaching, we’d argue that the support we provide is for all teachers, whether they are new …

Continue Reading

The Importance of Trusting Relationships in Instructional Coaching

Don’t miss our upcoming workshop in Denver, Colorado on May 19-20, 2025. In the world of education, instructional coaching is a transformative process designed to enhance teaching practices and improve student outcomes. At its core, it’s about collaboration, reflection, and growth. But one key element that often dictates the success of instructional coaching isn’t just …

Continue Reading

How Formative Assessment Grounds Instructional Coaching

Don’t miss our upcoming ‘Level 1’ workshop in Denver, Colorado on May 19-20, 2025. Learn more or register today. Instructional coaching serves as a crucial mechanism for supporting teachers and enhancing student learning. While various coaching strategies contribute to professional growth, using formative assessments stands out as a powerful tool for guiding instructional decision making. …

Continue Reading

The Power of Questioning and Listening in Instructional Coaching

Instructional coaching is a vital component of professional learning in schools, helping educators refine their teaching practices and ultimately enhance student learning. While effective coaching involves modeling strategies and providing feedback, two foundational skills are questioning and listening. These skills not only foster meaningful conversations but also empower teachers to reflect, problem-solve, and grow in …

Continue Reading

The Value of Student-Centered Coaching as an Instructional Coaching Framework

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, instructional coaching has become a critical element in supporting teacher growth and enhancing student achievement. Among the various coaching models, Student-Centered Coaching (SCC) stands out as a powerful framework that prioritizes student learning outcomes rather than solely focusing on teacher practices. By developing this framework, we have been able …

Continue Reading

More on Mini Coaching Cycles

Mini coaching cycles are a great way to respond to teachers who need support on something that is narrow in focus and short in duration. They also help us build trust in the coaching process because when teachers experience the student-centered nature of our work through a mini coaching cycle, they are often interested in …

Continue Reading

Using the Results-Based Coaching Tool to Measure the Impact of Coaching Cycles

With thousands of school systems employing coaches, it’s critical that we develop systems for measuring the impact that is being made. The Results-Based Coaching Tool (RBCT) provides a thorough and uniform way to document teacher and student learning from the work done in a coaching cycle. Annotated Results-Based Coaching ToolThe following annotated version of the …

Continue Reading

Celebrating Coaching Cycles

Ending a coaching cycle means it’s time to celebrate all of the learning that has occurred. Acknowledging the hard work and results of what took place reinforces the coaching relationship and provides energy for teachers to feel seen and valued. In her book, Collective Efficacy, Jenni Donohoo writes, “Celebrations help highlight the power of working …

Continue Reading