At Waukegan High School, our instructional coaching cycles are rooted in the work of Diane Sweeney and Jim Knight, blending the focus on student learning outcomes with a foundation of trust, collaboration, and teacher voice. Through these cycles, teachers partner with coaches to set clear goals, plan and deliver instruction, assess student learning, and reflect on growth - all within a respectful, side-by-side model. Coaching at WHS isn’t evaluative; it’s personalized, empowering, and always focused on what matters most: student success.

Coaching cycles at WHS are designed to be collaborative, non-evaluative, and entirely focused on student learning. Here’s how a typical cycle works:

Step 1: Identify a Student-Centered Goal

Together, you and your coach select a learning goal based on student data, curriculum needs, or classroom trends.

Step 2: Plan Instruction Together

You’ll co-design lessons that align to the goal - incorporating strategies, structures, and supports that match your students’ needs.

Step 3: Co-Teach and Observe

Work side-by-side with your coach through co-teaching, modeling, or observing each other to refine instructional delivery.

Step 4: Reflect and Adjust

Review student work or assessment data together to celebrate growth, troubleshoot barriers, and make adjustments.

Step 5: Celebrate Growth and Decide Next Steps

Wrap up the cycle by reflecting on progress and determining if you want to extend the cycle, try something new, or apply strategies independently.