Category: Coaching Teachers

Translating Research into Coaching Practice

With increasingly limited time in schools to support staff and students, curating a collection of concise strategies can facilitate deeper coaching conversations to improve the craft of teaching. Teacher and coach Amy Tucker has found a timely resource in The Instructional Playbook.

Selecting Digital Tools for Literacy Coaching

Many books focus on effective literacy coaching, and others are specific to technology integration in education. Stephanie Affinito’s Literacy Coaching: Transforming Teaching and Learning with Digital Tools and Technology fills a gap by merging the two, writes Shannon Russell.

A Helpful Guide to Coaching in Schools

John Campbell and Christian van Nieuwerburgh look at four broad areas of formal and informal coaching: student success and well-being, educational leadership, professional practice, and community engagement. A helpful, quick read, says teacher and mentor Alex Valencic.

A 90-Day Plan for Coaching New Teachers

Bambrick-Santoyo’s Get Better Faster offers a convincing argument and a comprehensive program for developing new teachers. Retired principal and teacher educator Mary Langer Thompson finds the 90-day plan sensible, fast paced, demanding, and dense with resources.

The Art and Practice of Coaching Teams

Elena Aguilar’s “The Art of Coaching Teams ” is a practical resource full of proactive thinking gleaned from 20 years as a teacher and coach, says instructional specialist Deserie Bradvica. For those ready to lead teams with “a focus on trust, clarity and purpose.”

Helpful Advice for Math & Other Coaches

Pia Hansen’s Mathematics Coaching Handbook carefully explores the roles played by coaches, then goes on to describe how to approach and work with teachers. Middle grades specialist Scott Sharp also finds the appendix’s many templates helpful.

A Comprehensive Guide to Peer Coaching

Pam Robbins’ Peer Coaching offers recent research, broad questions and discussions, and practical applications which coach Holly Foley believes can advance student achievement while supporting professional growth and contributing to positive school culture.

Tools for Schools with Instructional Coaching

Jim Knight’s Unmistakable Impact: A Partnership Approach for Dramatically Improving Instruction focuses on school leaders working with an instructional coach in a partnership model, says principal Matt Renwick. But he finds value in the book for other leaders who lack a coaching model.

A Coach of My Own

“Having this book in my bag is like having my own coach nearby,” says reviewer & elementary coach Katie Gordon. Elena Aguilar has “laid it out from beginning to end” in The Art of Coaching: Effective Strategies for School Transformation.