This past week I was asked this question in two different settings. A possible future client was interviewing me on a phone call to explore “the fit” for me to be a trainer/coach for administrators and teacher leaders who would work in coaching roles to increase student success by increasing teachers’ skills. I was told […]

Over the past two weeks I had two training sessions for new coaches. Both were multiple days and near the end the participants wanted to explore strategies and verbal responses for working in difficult situations. After several role-playing activities where I modeled possible coaching responses, I summarized my thought process while listening to resistance and […]

I have had the pleasure during the past two years to work with academic coaches and their principals in Valdosta City Schools, Georgia under the leadership of Scarlet Correll Brown, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. The group is continually re-examining the impact of their coaching design, approach, and skills on teaching and learning. In […]

I have been asked by a new district client to make some suggestions regarding what to “look for” as they begin interviewing candidates for instructional coaching positions for their elementary schools next year. Here are the first elements/characteristics I suggested: A Growth Mindset: Defined by Carol Dweck (earlier blog) Coaches need to believe that ALL […]