Here’s an email from a couple months ago that I’ve been meaning to respond to: I’m an instruction and curriculum coordinator in a large suburban district and I direct two dozen coaches. I was also a coach for many years. I’m looking for readings that I can give my new coaches–both from the field of
‘Coaching Is Harder Than I Thought’
A coach who asked to remain anonymous sent this email to me last week: “This is my first year coaching after 15 years in the classroom and I had no idea that coaching was this hard.”
Exploring Boundaries Between Coach and Coachee
A coach who wishes to remain anonymous emailed this question: I just took a position as an instructional coach at a large urban high school. I’ve never been a coach before and am new to this district. I’m excited about the work but am struggling with one aspect: many teachers have invited me to go
Coaching Towards Common Core State Standards
I’ve received many emails related to coaching towards the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). I’m going to address some by responding to Leah’s email in which she raises the challenge of coaching towards CCSS in a context of change and distrust. Please continue to email me with other coaching questions, related to CCSS or anything
When Teachers Show No Growth
Anyone ever felt like their coachees aren’t making the kind of growth you want to see? Read this email from a coach in San Diego, CA. I’ve been a math coach for 2 years. This year I work in a high school (I’ve never taught or coached in high school) and I’m stumped. I’m seeing
When Coaches Are Stretched Too Thin
A coach in Seattle writes the following: This is my first year as a literacy coach in a large elementary school. I’m being asked to do all kinds of jobs that have nothing to do with coaching including doing lunch supervision, putting up bulletin boards, translating and testing coordination! The hours I have for coaching
Letter From an ‘Angry Black Man’: Am I a Good Coach?
Here’s an email I received a few weeks ago from a coach who wishes to be anonymous: I’m a high school literacy coach in a large urban district. I work across a dozen sites that are considered our worst schools. The situation is dismal: inexperienced leadership, no trust amongst teachers and administrators, brand new curriculum,
‘How Can I Encourage Teachers To Use Me as a Resource?’
Jenny from Midland, Mich., writes: I have been in the middle school classroom for 20 years and have now accepted a new position as an instructional coach this year. I have three middle schools and maybe 100 teachers plus administrators to work with. Some teachers already know me, but others do not. What would you
“How can I Keep Teachers Happy and Energized?”
Dear Coaches, For years I’ve been craving conversations with coaches and thinking about how there must be other lonely coaches somewhere. So I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised when after my first post on this blog I received over 100 emails in 24 hours. They’ve continued to pour in from coaches all over this
Instructional Coaches: An Invitation to an Advice Column
I’m going to come straight out and confess: I’m on a mission to see effective coaching programs in all schools. I dream of seeing coaches supporting teachers, principals, and superintendents, of coaches working with educators at all levels of an organization. This mission is driven by my belief that coaching might just be the secret