What is Instructional Coaching?

I believe instructional coaching is helpful to teachers both professionally and personally. Coaching, for me, is rooted in relationship. My role is to help competent, dedicated teachers achieve goals that they set for themselves. As a coach, I'm able to enter classrooms as an objective observer and invite teachers to see their work in a new way. Most teachers pour themselves mentally, emotionally, and even physically into their classrooms. It is often difficult for them to see every aspect of their instruction because they are so invested. Instructional coaching provides teachers with a reflective system that assists them in exploring strategies that they would like to try for more effective delivery of instruction.

In addition, I believe instructional coaching can greatly improve teacher resiliency. By encouraging collaboration and highlighting the many skills and talents of the teachers in the building, the learning community becomes a refuge for support, growth, and enthusiastic development of skills. In schools where teachers are encouraged to try new strategies (even if they don't work the first time!) and pursue excellence through collaboration, they feel empowered, encouraged, and are more likely to withstand the constant barrage of demands and changes that are a part of being a teacher. It is my honor to assist in this process.