Primary School Instructional Coaching Course

Lesson 1 • Understanding the Elementary Context

Examines the unique developmental, curricular, and cultural features of elementary schools. Connects contextual knowledge to coaching decisions made throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Defining Instructional Coaching

Clarifies what instructional coaching is, how it differs from evaluation, and why it matters. Grounds the chapter in a shared vocabulary for all subsequent learning.

Lesson 3 • Ethical Standards in Coaching

Addresses confidentiality, professional boundaries, and equity obligations coaches must uphold. Establishes non-negotiable ethical commitments that shape every coaching interaction.

Lesson 1 • Setting Coaching Agreements

Guides coaches in co-creating clear expectations, goals, and norms with each teacher partner. Structured agreements prevent misunderstandings and keep coaching focused.

Lesson 2 • Communicating with Diverse Teachers

Addresses how experience level, cultural background, and personality affect communication needs. Coaches learn to flex their style to meet each teacher where they are.

Lesson 3 • Active Listening and Empathy

Teaches coaches to listen deeply, reflect accurately, and respond with empathy. These skills form the communicative backbone of every coaching session.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Effective Observation

Establishes the purpose and ethical parameters of classroom observation in a coaching context. Distinguishes coaching observation from evaluative observation to protect teacher trust.

Lesson 2 • Analysing Instructional Evidence

Teaches coaches to interpret observation data through an instructional lens. Analysis skills connect raw evidence to specific teacher actions and student outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Data Collection Tools and Methods

Introduces structured tools for capturing instructional evidence during observations. Accurate data collection is the foundation for evidence-based coaching conversations.

Lesson 1 • Questioning Techniques for Reflection

Develops coaches' ability to use powerful questions that deepen teacher thinking. Strategic questioning shifts ownership of growth to the teacher.

Lesson 2 • Navigating Difficult Feedback Situations

Prepares coaches to deliver challenging feedback to resistant or struggling teachers. Practical strategies maintain the relationship while addressing critical instructional issues.

Lesson 3 • Structuring the Feedback Conversation

Provides a step-by-step protocol for conducting post-observation feedback conversations. A clear structure ensures feedback is purposeful and teacher-centered.

Lesson 1 • Planning the Coaching Cycle

Guides coaches through designing a focused, goal-aligned coaching cycle with each teacher. Intentional planning maximises the impact of every observation and conversation.

Lesson 2 • Conducting the Observation Phase

Applies observation and data collection skills within the context of a live coaching cycle. Coaches practice staying focused on the agreed goal during real classroom visits.

Lesson 3 • Iterating and Sustaining Cycles

Addresses how to sequence multiple coaching cycles to build cumulative teacher growth. Coaches learn to adjust focus and strategy based on cycle-to-cycle evidence.

Lesson 1 • Foundations of Elementary Literacy

Reviews the science of reading and writing development relevant to coaching conversations. Content knowledge enables coaches to recognise strong and weak literacy instruction.

Lesson 2 • Observing Literacy Instruction

Applies observation tools specifically to reading and writing instructional routines. Coaches learn what to look for during guided reading, word study, and writing workshop.

Lesson 3 • Using Literacy Data in Coaching

Teaches coaches to incorporate student literacy assessment data into coaching conversations. Data-informed coaching connects teacher practice directly to student reading outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Observing Mathematics Instruction

Applies observation skills to math lessons, focusing on discourse, tasks, and student thinking. Coaches learn to identify high-cognitive-demand tasks and productive struggle.

Lesson 2 • Elementary Mathematics Content for Coaches

Builds coaches' working knowledge of elementary math concepts, progressions, and common misconceptions. Content fluency allows coaches to recognise and discuss instructional quality accurately.

Lesson 3 • Using Math Data in Coaching

Integrates student math assessment data into coaching cycles to sharpen instructional focus. Data-driven math coaching connects teacher decisions to measurable student outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Reflective Practice for Coaches

Builds habits of self-reflection that help coaches continuously improve their own practice. Coach self-improvement is modelled on the same reflective cycle used with teachers.

Lesson 2 • Evaluating Teacher Growth

Introduces methods for measuring changes in teacher practice resulting from coaching. Systematic evaluation provides evidence of coaching value to teachers and school leaders.

Lesson 3 • Connecting Coaching to Student Outcomes

Teaches coaches to trace the link between improved teacher practice and student learning data. Demonstrating this connection strengthens the case for sustained coaching investment.