What Does it Mean to ‘Coach in the Classroom’?

Coaching in the classroom is a core practice for Student-Centered Coaching. That’s because much of our best work takes place while a lesson is being delivered. As we explore this practice, I’d like to mention that you may have heard it referred to as ‘co-teaching’. Either way, it’s meant to be a dynamic process where … Read more

Three Moves for Coaching Outside of Our Grade Level or Content Area

Written by Rachel Jenner The idea for Ted Lasso was novel: an American football coach plucked out of his country and comfort zone and plopped into the world of English Premier League soccer (or football, as the rest of the world knows it). The questions, doubts, and uncertainty were rampant. In his first press conference, … Read more

Moves for Launching a New Year of Student-Centered Coaching

Order today or find your Corwin rep for bulk orders Engaging teachers in coaching is an ongoing process that requires planning and intentionality. Whether you are new to a school or have been there a while, the beginning of the year brings forth the opportunity to envision what our work will look like, and the … Read more

The Spring Slump

Spring is upon us and experienced coaches are readying themselves for the spring slump. Newer coaches may be surprised by the fact that fewer teachers are lining up for coaching as we near the end of the school year. It’s easy to understand why, when you consider the benchmark assessments, field day, AP exams, classroom … Read more

How to Make Sure Coaching Sticks

Written By: Leanna Harris A district leader recently reached out for help with an issue that her coaching team had been encountering. She shared that while the coaches were doing a great job getting into cycles, they were wondering how to ensure that the work took hold. In other words, they wondered how to handle … Read more

Having Brave Conversations About Coaching

I’ve recently had the opportunity to hear from teachers about how coaching is (and isn’t) helping them thrive in their classrooms. These have been courageous conversations that have surfaced some hard lessons about how we can be responsive as coaches. Here’s an example: during a planning session that I recently joined, a coach had hoped … Read more

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 … Read more

Who Goes First? Where to Begin with Coaching Cycles

As instructional coaches get their year started, many wonder which teachers should be first in line for coaching cycles. On the surface, this seems like a relatively easy question to answer. We’ve heard everything from, “We start with our new teachers.” To, “Teachers participate on an invitational basis.” And even, “Our coaches focus on teachers … Read more