Effective Coaching: Insights From the Field (original) (raw)

Across the state of North Carolina, there are educators whose role goes beyond improving learning experiences for K-12 students, including the teachers of those students. Some educators have titles like Instructional Technology Facilitator or Library Media Coordinator. Some educators have a full slate of classes they teach, using their planning periods to work with their peers and colleagues, while some educators devote their full day to working with teachers, and yet others are somewhere in between. From August to June, their presence is seen and felt on the campuses they serve. These teachers are instructional coaches and they are one of the greatest influencers of change within their respective districts. To highlight the impact of instructional coaches in schools across the state, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation conducted interviews with four instructional coaches from varying parts of the state of North Carolina. All of these educators provided different perspectives and experiences on their roles as coaches. Our interview questions focused on discovering how they evolved as coaches; learning about day-to-day responsibilities; peer interaction; the types of professional development and mentoring they seek; insights about education and the role of coaches; coaching strategies; challenges; and successes.