Job-embedded coaching is a powerful tool for amplifying leadership, deepening understanding, and driving meaningful change in schools. A coach serves as a thought partner, offering support and insight that allows leaders to reflect on their practices, confront biases, and develop action steps toward improvement. Whether it's navigating the complexities of data usage, implementing professional development, or focusing on school-wide goals, coaches provide the external perspective that can spark transformation.
In part one of this blog, our experienced coaches share their insights on the role of a coach and what they like most about the role. Our four-part series includes:
- Part 1: Coaches on Coaching: What's The Role of a Coach?
- Part 2: Coaches on Coaching: How Coaches Enhance Data
- Part 3: Coaches on Coaching: Boosting Curriculum and State Standards
- Part 4: Coaches on Coaching: How Can A Coach Help Me?
What do you see as the role of a coach?
A coach helps to amplify leaders’ strengths and the talents of the educators they support to achieve impact for all students. A coach will hold up the mirror to leaders to support them; having those difficult conversations, acknowledging when bias is at play, and determining the best path forward through bite-sized action steps.
-Katie Tabbert
I'm always reminded of Zaretta Hammond's thoughts on coaches, where she names coaches as the linchpin for instructional change. I agree. Coaches have a unique opportunity to provide insights and illuminate blindspots for teachers and leaders related to teaching and learning. Coaches are critical in supporting leaders and teachers in prioritization–helping leaders and teachers remain focused on their north star, keeping the main thing(s) the main thing(s).
-Jay Tillman
A coach asks questions to deepen understanding, self reflection, or social awareness. We make suggestions to spark action and lead to impact. Give pushes to dig deeper into the biases or structures that might be barriers and to help build confidence to hop over (or remove) those barriers.
-Colleen Kelly
What do you enjoy about being a coach?
To be a school leader can sometimes feel overwhelming and lonely - you need to protect confidence to your school and yet you’re still learning too and navigating new challenges each day. It’s such an honor to be a thought partner alongside leaders who are working so hard and provide that safe space where they can be vulnerable and have someone to help shoulder the load they’re carrying. Coaches get to witness so many amazing leaders, teachers & students in their unique communities who allow us to come in and learn alongside them.
-Julia Davis
I love building relationships with leaders. The deeper the relationship the deeper we can dig into the issues that are getting in the way of student, teacher, and leader success. I love learning alongside leaders, so that I can support their teams more effectively. The more I am clear about them as people and their school’s context, the more useful I am to them in sparking ideas or holding up the mirror.
-Colleen Kelly
Similar to being a classroom teacher, no year is like the other: Each year, my skills and effectiveness continue to grow while new challenges arise because those who I serve have different needs. For example, a planning protocol that I may use often with partners may need to either be adapted to fit a partner's needs, or I, as a coach, may need to introduce that same protocol to a partner differently to muster investment on their part. It's those nuanced approaches that keep my work as a coach fresh.
-Jarred Washington
The role of a coach goes far beyond offering advice—it’s about fostering growth, creating a safe space for vulnerability, and helping leaders see both the challenges and opportunities before them. Learn more about coaching on our page www.achievementnetwork.org/coaching.
This blog is part of the 2024 Coaching Week! Explore Coaching Week Content below.