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Throughout their careers, educators engage in ongoing professional development to learn about emerging instructional strategies, discover how to embed technology into their processes, and to refine their approach to improve student outcomes. Instructional coaching, however, takes professional development to the next level by integrating training into day-to-day classroom life.

Working as an instructional coach can be a valuable opportunity for those with teaching experience who want to pivot into a different type of role. So, what is instructional coaching? This guide takes an in-depth look at this specialized career path and what skills are needed to become an instructional coach.

What Is an Instructional Coach?

Instructional coaches are specially-trained educators who offer embedded professional development experiences within classroom environments. Their goal is to help teachers apply evidence-based strategies in real-world classrooms. While the instructional coach job description may vary by district or building, most educational coaches work alongside educators to strengthen instructional practices and support teacher development. They focus on continuous improvement rather than evaluating the effectiveness of teachers.

Why Schools Use Instructional Coaches

School administrators have found instructional coaching to be a valuable investment, as it ensures that professional development occurs on a continuous basis rather than during a one-off training session. Through instructional coaching, schools can:

• Refine instructional practices
• Bolster teacher confidence
• Promote consistent instructional quality across classrooms

Beneficial to both new and experienced teachers, instructional coaching provides educators with the ongoing support they need to successfully reach all students in their classrooms.

What Does the Instructional Coaching Role Involve?

Serving as both a structured support system and a mentor, an instructional coach takes on a pivotal role in any school building. They rely on their own experiences working in learning environments as well as their specialized training in professional development to assume many different responsibilities.

Observing Classroom Instruction

To develop personalized strategies and techniques for each instructor in the school, coaches spend a lot of time observing classrooms and identifying opportunities for reflection and growth. While principals or school administrators may observe teachers for evaluation purposes, instructional coaches collect objective observations to support ongoing growth and development.

Coaching Educators Through Reflection

Rather than simply telling teachers what they can or should do better, instructional coaches facilitate reflective conversations with educators after they have completed their observations. They use these moments to ask questions, learn more about why teachers prefer certain techniques, identify strengths, and collaboratively develop improvement strategies.

Supporting Instructional Planning

Instructional coaching is a collaborative profession that allows coaches to work closely with teachers as they create lesson plans and decide on instructional strategies to use within their own classrooms. They have an opportunity to connect with teachers and build classroom implementation plans, ultimately supporting the teaching practices that are best for the individual educator as well as their specific classroom. Instructional coaches specialize in tailored support. They do not prescribe one static approach to every situation.

Using Student Learning Data

Data is a critical tool in the modern educational landscape, and instructional coaches serve as a crucial bridge between data-driven insights and actual instructional practices. Educational coaches can provide teachers with valuable student learning data, and together, coaches and teachers identify how to use that data to guide instructional priorities within the classroom setting.

What Makes Instructional Coaching Different From Traditional Professional Development?

Traditionally, professional development in education has involved one-time training sessions about specific topics to promote continuous improvement. Instructional coaching is based on the idea that teachers are lifelong learners who need additional support to remain effective, but it takes professional development one step further by embedding it into the daily workings of a school building.

Ongoing Professional Growth

While skills-based professional development training sessions have their value, instructional coaching ensures that growth and development occur over time rather than only at specific and isolated times of the school year. When working with an instructional coach, teachers receive continuous feedback, and they benefit from opportunities for reflection during their day-to-day routines.

Individualized Support

Instructional coaching looks different from one teacher to the next. An effective coach can tailor the guidance they provide based on the teacher's goals, classroom composition, and professional needs. They usually move away from standardized training so they can provide personalized support in real-world learning environments.

Collaborative Problem

While school administrators spend time observing and evaluating teachers to provide them with feedback and specific instructions, coaches work alongside teachers to uncover challenges and explore possible solutions. It's a partnership that grows organically and emphasizes shared decision-making.

Skills Needed in the Instructional Coaching Role

Generally speaking, instructional coaches have a background in education, and they are familiar with the day-to-day instructional practices that teachers use. Teachers who want to transition into educational coaching may need to pursue an advanced degree or a certification program to develop the skills needed in this role.

Communication and Active Listening

Strong interpersonal skills are essential in instructional coaching, as coaches have to be able to build trust with educators. Communication skills, such as active listening and asking thoughtful questions, are used on a daily basis to better understand the perspective of educators and provide constructive feedback.

Observation and Reflective Practice

Instructional coaches often serve as a vital link between the data collected by administrators and the implementation of professional development in classroom settings. To facilitate this, instructional coaches are responsible for gathering evidence during observations and using their objective insights to facilitate meaningful discussions. Coaches need to encourage teachers to analyze their own instructional practices and reflect on how they can improve their approach in the future.

Building Collaborative Relationships

For educators who are ready to step out of the classroom environment but still want to remain a valued and connected part of the building, instructional coaching is an excellent opportunity. In this role, coaches work to cultivate strong relationships with educators to facilitate meaningful discussions. They must be able to establish trust by maintaining confidentiality and promoting positive working relationships across the entire school community.

How Neumann University's Instructional Coaching Endorsement Prepares Educators

The online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) at Neumann University focuses on the application of educational theory to modern teaching practices, and the Instructional Coaching Endorsement uniquely prepares educators for educational coaching roles. Graduates who choose this endorsement track can collect and analyze data, develop evidence-based instructional approaches, and effectively embed on-the-job training into daily classroom routines.

Developing Coaching Knowledge and Skills

The Instructional Coaching Endorsement centers on instructional coaching practices and supporting educator growth. In this endorsement track, students complete industry-aligned coursework that emphasizes key topics, such as:

• Professional Development Planning and Assessment
• Leadership and Organizational Change

In addition, students complete at least 45 hours of field experience, 15 of which occur in an inclusive setting. The comprehensive scope of this endorsement blends didactic learning with field experience, effectively building the practical and interpersonal skills needed to facilitate coaching relationships in modern learning environments.

Applying Coaching Strategies in Schools

Through an embedded practicum, students in this endorsement track can learn how to apply coaching strategies in real-world educational settings. Students complete 45 hours of field experience that relates to coursework covered in the program. During this supervised time, they can plan out coaching strategies, implement them in educational environments, and reflect on their experiences. They use the practicum to apply their learning and assess their own abilities within school and community settings.

Earning an Instructional Coach Endorsement

Earning an Instructional Coach Endorsement provides educators with an opportunity to build unique skills and prepare for positions outside the classroom. This endorsement is designed for experienced teachers who want to expand their professional expertise and explore the role of instructional coaching. It's an opportunity to enhance their credentials and specialize in a growing area of education and may prepare graduates to take on coaching or mentorship opportunities in the future.

Is Instructional Coaching the Right Next Step for Your Career?

Coaching educators is not unlike guiding and nurturing young students in the classroom. Instructional coaching may be a strong fit for you if you are ready to pivot into a new area while still building upon your foundation as a teacher and leveraging your passion for providing all students with an equitable and valuable educational experience.

Neumann University's online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) degree offers an endorsement track in Instructional Coaching, preparing students to deliver job-embedded professional development to help enhance teaching and learning environments across various educational facilities. In addition to featuring a targeted curriculum, this endorsement track includes 45 hours of field experience with at least 15 hours in an inclusive setting. Graduates emerge from the program with the skills and qualifications needed for educational coaching roles.

Request more information, and learn how to become an instructional coach at Neumann University.