School Improvement

Instructional Coaching

A colorful circular diagram illustrates the four steps of the Coaching Cycle: Goal Setting, Learning, Observation and Data Collection, and Reflection. Coaching provides a collaborative approach to personalized professional development that is teacher driven and initiated. Through instructional coaching, our goal is to strengthen and expand best classroom practices, empower educators in their professional growth, and enhance student learning and success in all schools throughout the region.

A COACH IS…

A COACH IS NOT...

a trusted and positive partner in a teacher's professional growth and learning journey.
an empathetic listener who will maintain confidentiality and listen to you as a professional and value your opinions, concerns, and needs without judgement.
a teacher advocate and supporter who will strive to encourage, motivate, and inspire teachers as they aspire to help students in their classroom succeed.
a gatherer of information and best practices, who will share sources for instructional tools and supports.

an evaluator who is there to criticize, judge, and correct a teacher’s performance.
an administrator who is there to facilitate teacher performance reviews or evaluations.
an observer who is there to report back to administration regarding teacher and student performance.
an expert of all things in education.
meant to add stress to a teacher’s life.
a "fixer" of teachers.

Coaching cycles provide opportunities to address:

short term goals or instructional needs and together formulate a plan to implement best practices.
long term goals and broader instructional needs that address school improvement initiatives or individual classroom teacher professional development.
student growth goals to foster ownership and empower learners in their educational journey.

serve as thought partners in addressing challenges or new ideas
co-plan lessons or projects
facilitate learning walks
implement or integrate technology
facilitate collaboration with specialists
support curriculum implementation
classroom visits to address teacher feedback request
support school initiatives
plan/model/co-teach any of the following:
- interventions and classroom management strategies
- student engagement strategies and support
- differentiation supports and intervention strategies
- best practices
- the formative assessment process

A COACH IS…

A COACH IS NOT...

a trusted and positive partner in a teacher's professional growth and learning journey.
an empathetic listener who will maintain confidentiality and listen to you as a professional and value your opinions, concerns, and needs without judgement.
a teacher advocate and supporter who will strive to encourage, motivate, and inspire teachers as they aspire to help students in their classroom succeed.
a gatherer of information and best practices, who will share sources for instructional tools and supports.

an evaluator who is there to criticize, judge, and correct a teacher’s performance.
an administrator who is there to facilitate teacher performance reviews or evaluations.
an observer who is there to report back to administration regarding teacher and student performance.
an expert of all things in education.
meant to add stress to a teacher’s life.
a "fixer" of teachers.

Coaching cycles provide opportunities to address:
- short term goals or instructional needs and together formulate a plan to implement best practices.
- long term goals and broader instructional needs that address school improvement initiatives or individual classroom teacher professional development.
- student growth goals to foster ownership and empower learners in their educational journey.
- serve as thought partners in addressing challenges or new ideas
- co-plan lessons or projects
- facilitate learning walks
- implement or integrate technology
- facilitate collaboration with specialists
- support curriculum implementation
- classroom visits to address teacher feedback request
- support school initiatives
- plan/model/co-teach any of the following:
  - interventions and classroom management strategies
  - student engagement strategies and support
  - differentiation supports and intervention strategies
  - best practices
  - the formative assessment process