Instructional Coaching

Instructional coaches are onsite professional developers who teach educators how to use proven teaching methods. They employ a variety of professional development procedures to foster widespread, high-quality implementation of interventions, providing “on-the-job learning.” Instructional coaches adopting the approach developed at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning take a partnership approach, and thus they respect teachers’ professionalism and focus their efforts on conversations that lead to creative, practical application of research-based practices.

Instructional coaches see themselves as equal partners with teachers in the complex and richly rewarding work of teaching students. More than anything else, instructional coaches work in partnerships to accelerate teachers’ professional learning through mutually enriching, healthy relationships. Instructional coaches are colleagues, friends, and confidants who listen with care and share valuable information with teachers at the time when teachers most need it.

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