Instructional Leadership in Student-Focused Coaching: Creating Effective Systems to Cultivate Student Success

Instructional Leadership in Student-Focused Coaching

Instructional Leadership in Student-Focused Coaching Creating Effective Systems to Cultivate Student Success

by
Daryl Michel, Ph.D.
Be A Change, LLC
San Antonio, TX
and
Dawn Brookhart, M.Ed., M.A.T.
Ed Cap Consulting, LLC
Danville, PA

Contents

About the Authors

DARYL MICHEL, BE A CHANGE, LLC

Dr. Daryl Michel is the founder of Be A Change, LLC, an educational consulting firm dedicated to fostering professional learning and student success. With more than three decades of experience in the field, Dr. Michel has made significant contributions, nationally and internationally, as an instructional coach, teacher educator, and curriculum designer.
Dr. Michel’s expertise encompasses a wide range of educational areas, including disciplinary literacy, lesson study, and instructional coaching. He has worked with numerous school districts, state agencies, and educational organizations to design and implement strategies that enhance both teacher effectiveness and student outcomes.
Throughout his career, Dr. Michel has remained committed to improving education and ensuring student success.

DAWN BROOKHART, M.ED., M.A.T., ED CAP CONSULTING, LLC

Dawn Brookhart, M.Ed., M.A.T., is an educational leader, consultant, coach, and national speaker with nearly 30 years of experience working alongside educators to foster positive change in K–12 education. Driven by a deep sense of service, Dawn’s career has been focused on helping schools, districts, and state agencies bridge the gap between research, policy, and classroom practice.
Dawn’s leadership has taken many forms over the years, from administrative roles such as junior high principal, director of special education, director of curriculum and instruction, to her current work as a consultant and coach.
Dawn is dedicated to advancing research- and evidence-based practices and empowering educators to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students.

Foreword

There is compelling evidence from educational research indicating that instructional coaching can have a significant positive impact on classroom instruction, resulting in enhanced student achievement. The authors of the book, Daryl Michel and Dawn Brookhart, both have decades of experience as school leaders who have supported coaching across numerous educational settings.
In this book, they provide guidance on implementing a coaching model that can positively impact student learning.

Acknowledgments

To the many leaders, educators, and instructional coaches, nationally and internationally, who teach and help me grow each day; thank you! To my parents who always encouraged me to pursue my interests.
—Daryl

This book is dedicated to the mentors and teacher leaders who have inspired positive disruption in education. I am grateful to my coauthor, Dr. Daryl Michel, an extraordinary mentor and friend. —Dawn

Introduction

Educational supervisors must manage a range of responsibilities including developing relationships with students and teachers, supporting families, and holding staff accountable for student learning. They play a critical role in the successful implementation of the Student-Focused Coaching (SFC) model.
This book aims to empower educators to build a collaborative coaching system aligned with implementation science and enhance student outcomes.

Coaching Roles and Responsibilities

A clearly defined list of coaching roles and responsibilities is essential. This should ideally be established before hiring a coach to ensure clarity for all parties involved.
The SFC process emphasizes a cooperative relationship where coaches work alongside their colleagues to maximize teaching effectiveness and enhance student learning.

Responsibilities of SFC Coaches

An SFC coach guides the planning and implementation of effective practices to support optimal student progress, focusing primarily on differentiated, sustained professional learning experiences. This partnership can create the necessary conditions for shared leadership and empower individuals throughout the educational system.

Conclusion

By fostering a supportive environment between supervisors, coaches, and teachers, schools can create a climate conducive to enhancing student learning and achieving educational success.