Learning Forward
Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
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Where coaches learn to coach
By Suzanne Bouffard
Categories: Coaching, Learning communitiesApril 2022
Most of today’s instructional coaches didn’t start their careers planning to work one-on-one supporting other educators. Most of them started out as excellent teachers, focused on the learning needs of young people. And although the best coaching programs select coaches based on their listening, reflection, and facilitation skills, new coaches rarely have formal preparation in supporting adults. To help coaches grow into their roles, Learning Forward’s Coaches Academy provides personalized support to districts and states. Offered both in person and virtually, the Coaches Academy builds coaches’ knowledge and capacity through facilitated sessions with an expert coach, collaborative learning communities, tools and strategies tailored to the district’s or state’s needs, and individual support for coaches and their supervisors. Like coaches themselves, the academy aims to bring
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References
Killion, J., Bryan, C., & Clifton, H. (2020). Coaching matters (2nd ed.). Learning Forward.
Killion, J. & Harrison, C. (2017). Taking the lead: New roles for teachers and school-based coaches (2nd ed.). Learning Forward.
Suzanne Bouffard is senior vice president of communications and publications at Learning Forward. She is the editor of The Learning Professional, Learning Forward’s flagship publication. She also contributes to the Learning Forward blog and webinars. With a background in child development, she has a passion for making research and best practices accessible to educators, policymakers, and families. She has written for many national publications including The New York Times and the Atlantic, and previously worked as a writer and researcher at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Duke University and a B.A. from Wesleyan University. She loves working with authors to help them develop their ideas and voices for publication.
Categories: Coaching, Learning communities
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