Effective Teacher Coaching
Learn how to drive teacher development with forward-looking, change-oriented, one-on-one coaching.
When it comes to driving teacher improvement, regular one-on-one coaching stands head and shoulders above other professional development options. But effective instructional coaching amounts to more than mentoring and sporadic motivational meetings. Too often leaders and teachers spend time engaging in coaching that might "feel" good but does not lead to improved performance. Instructional coaching that drives real change must be forward-looking, focused on growth, and rooted in tight practice and feedback loops.
This course will help current, new and aspiring instructional coaches learn skills and strategies that will help them drive change and growth among the teachers they coach.
Syllabus
Lesson 1: Good vs. Effective Coaching
Effective coaching isn’t just about supporting teachers; it’s about promoting change to generate more student learning. This lesson articulates a vision for effective teacher coaching that drives real instructional improvement. Participants explore the three variables that make up our Effective Coaching Formula: a student-facing instructional vision, a tight observation and feedback loop and a growth mindset.
Estimated Time to Complete: 30 minutes
Lesson Parts:
Video
Reading
Quiz
Discussion (optional)
Lesson 2: Establishing a Clear Instructional Vision
In order to make a yearlong coaching plan, as well as to give effective feedback, coach and teacher must share a vision and definitions for what successful change will look like. Ultimately, that vision should be focused on student actions. Participants will explore other schools' and districts' resources and reflect on how to build their own common vision and language with the teachers they are coaching.
Estimated Time to Complete: 80 minutes
Lesson Parts:
Video
Reading
Exercise
Video
Exercise
Discussion (optional)
Lesson 3: Giving Quality Feedback I
One of the most important parts of effective teacher coaching is setting up a tight observation and feedback loop where teachers are observed and then receive feedback on how to improve. Participants will learn to optimize their time observing and running feedback meetings by focusing on what we call a “Big Takeaway.” The Big Takeaway is a small nugget of teacher practice that coaches and teachers will focus on as an area for improvement.
Estimated Time to Complete: 130 minutes
Lesson Parts:
Video
Reading
Exercise
Video
Reading
Exercise
Discussion (optional)
Lesson 4: Giving Quality Feedback II
Effective teacher coaching is an ongoing observation and feedback loop. In this lesson participants will learn to assess Feedback Implementation, utilize real-time coaching, and conduct a second feedback meeting.
Estimated Time to Complete: 110 minutes
Lesson Parts:
Video
Exercise
Video
Reading
Exercise
Discussion (optional)
Lesson 5: Addressing Fixed Mindset
Teachers will only grow to the extent that they believe change and growth is possible. Participants will learn to identify and root out fixed mindset behaviors that lurk in classrooms everywhere, and learn to help teachers identify evidence of growth that will help fuel their enthusiasm about the coaching process.
Estimated Time to Complete: 110 minutes
Lesson Parts:
Video
Exercise
Video
Reading
Exercise
Discussion (optional)