Principal and coach meetings are an essential practice for implementing Student-Centered Coaching. These meetings can shift away from being transactional check-ins to transformative conversations that align coaching efforts with schoolwide goals. Below is a video of a principal and coach meeting that captures both the intention and process for effective principal and coach meetings.
Why These Meetings Matter
In Student-Centered Coaching, the coach’s impact is measured by shifts in student and teacher learning—not by how many tasks they take on. To keep coaching focused on student outcomes, regular and strategic meetings with the principal are essential. These meetings serve as a space to:
- Align on coaching priorities.
- Discuss patterns in student learning.
- Monitor progress on school wide goals.
- Ensure that the coach is supported and that their time is being used strategically.
A Note About Confidentiality
While some coaching models advocate for confidentiality between the principal and coach, this is not the case when implementing Student-Centered Coaching. Rather, we advocate for conversations where principals and coaches take an asset-based stance and follow norms for how they discuss teacher engagement in coaching. This is because we find that there is power in celebrating who is participating and how their participation is supporting the students to learn and grow. If you’d like to read more about taking an asset-based stance, check out this blog post and podcast episode.
A Sample Agenda for Principal and Coach Meetings
To make the most of these meetings, consistency is key. Whether they happen weekly or biweekly, a predictable agenda helps ensure the conversation stays student-centered and productive. Here’s a sample structure:
1. Review Coaching Work (8 minutes)
The coach shares the current status of coaching, such as:
- Which grade levels or teams are engaging in coaching cycles?
- What goals are being addressed in the coaching cycles?
- What are students able to do now that they couldn’t before?
- What other support is being provided (informal, PLCs, etc.)?
2. Discuss Trends that the Principal is Seeing (12 minutes)
The principal shares trends that are being observed through informal classroom visits, such as:
- Instructional practices that teachers are using and how they are supporting student learning.
- How students are being formatively assessed and how the teachers are responding to this data.
- What the students can share about their progress as learners.
- How the teachers are implementing practices that they are learning about in professional development.
3. Planning and Next Steps (12 minutes)
The principal and coach plan future professional development, such as:
- How learning will be celebrated.
- What future support will be needed and how it will be provided.
- How the principal can continue to be an advocate for the coaching effort.
- Where there might be opportunities for the principal to shadow the coach.
Final Thoughts
When principal and coach meetings follow a consistent, student-centered agenda, they can become a driving force for meaningful change. These conversations aren’t just about managing logistics—they’re about co-leading a vision for teaching and learning. With a clear agenda and shared focus, the principal and coach become a powerful partnership for student success.