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Key Characteristics of Successful Instructional Coaches
A successful instructional coach possesses a blend of instructional expertise, interpersonal skills, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Some candidates may not have coaching experience, but may still exhibit the characteristics and skills of an effective coach listed below:
Characteristics:
- Empathetic: Understands and respects teachers’ perspectives and challenges.
- Trustworthy: Establishes strong, trusting relationships with teachers and staff. Data
- Focused: Analyzes and uses data to inform instructional material, improve student outcomes, and evaluate impact.
- Team Player: Works well with other instructional coaches, administrators, and support staff.
- Problem Solver: Finds creative solutions to instructional challenges.
- Flexible: Adapts to changing educational environments and needs.
- Resourceful: Finds creative solutions to instructional challenges.
- Self-Reflective: Accepts feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and other stakeholders.
Skills:
- Content Mastery: Understands the science of reading and evidence-based practices; teaching of Tier I, Tier II, or both; and installation and use of effective behavior practices in classroom settings.
- Effective Communicator: Offers actionable, specific, positive feedback and constructive support while avoiding evaluative responses.
- Model of Best Practices: Demonstrates effective teaching strategies and classroom management techniques.
- Change Agent: Supports and motivates teachers to embrace and implement change.
- Natural Leader: Guides teachers towards adopting best practices and innovative strategies.
- Excellent Time Manager: Manages time effectively to develop and meet timelines for completion of projects, tasks, and activities.
- Multi-Tasker: Manages multiple projects at once.
15 Interview Questions to Ask Candidates for Instructional Coaches
When interviewing candidates for an instructional coaching position, the assumption is that the school administrator has already selected the candidate based on that person’s resume and job application. While it is acceptable to review those qualifications in an interview, the questions should focus on gaining insight into the more intangible qualifications — such as communication skills, willingness to collaborate, and leadership skills – to assess potential fit for the role.
- What does giving constructive, non-evaluative feedback mean to you? Provide examples.
- What steps do you take to build trust and rapport with teachers you coach?
- Describe your process for collaborating with teachers to develop and plan lessons.
- Tell me about a time when the feedback you provided to a teacher directly led to significant improvement in their practice.
- What is your experience with explicit and systematic reading instruction?
- What do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of Core or Tier I reading programs?
- How do you use student assessment data to inform your coaching practices?
- Describe a professional development session you have led. What were the goals, and how did you measure its success?
- What are the most useful instructional strategies that you employ?
- How do you handle resistance from teachers when introducing new instructional strategies or changes?
- Describe a professional development initiative you led that resulted in measurable improvements in instructional practices or student outcomes.
- Have you ever facilitated staff through the change process? If so, what was your approach and what was the outcome?
- Tell me about a time when colleagues or supervisors have given you feedback that’s helped improve your coaching practice.
- How do you stay current with best practices for instructional coaching?
- What unique qualities would you bring to our school community that nobody else can?
Instructional Coach Job Description
Next we provide a sample job description that you can use to help build out your own posting.
Job Title: Instructional Coach
The Instructional Coach will provide classroom coaching to increase the effective use of core reading instructional materials and practices across grade levels. An instructional coach uses a combination of coaching supports depending on need, such as lesson planning, modeling, co-teaching, fluency building with instructional routines, and adaptations to the teacher’s classroom context.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide classroom coaching to increase the effective use of core reading instructional materials and practices.
- Utilize a combination of coaching supports (e.g. lesson planning, modeling, co-teaching, fluency building with instructional routines, and adaptations to the teacher’s classroom context) depending on need.
- Assist school and district leaders with structuring daily reading instruction and coordinating intervention across the Tier I and Tier II settings.
- Collaborate with teachers to develop and plan lessons.
- Observe classroom instruction and provide non-evaluative feedback.
- Create implementation plans and timelines for teachers and staff.
- Guide teachers in adjusting instruction based on data analysis.
- Facilitate instructional adjustments when needed.
- Meet with the administration to review student assessment data and assess progress toward goals.
Required Qualifications
- Education: BA or BS in Education; Master’s degree preferred.
- Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in teaching; previous coaching or leadership experience preferred.
- Certification: Valid instructional coach or leadership certification preferred.
Skills
- Knowledge of the Science of Reading theory and implementation.
- Ability to articulate the Simple View of Reading and evidence-based reading practices.
- Prior experience teaching Tier I and/or Tier II.
- Successful installation and use of positive behavioral interventions and support (PBIS).
Key Competencies
- Provides constructive, non-evaluative feedback for successfully using use core reading materials and instructional routines.
- Communicates with an understanding of what it means to provide constructive support while avoiding evaluative responses.
- Establishes and maintains trusting relationships with colleagues.
- Effectively prioritizes tasks and manages multiple projects simultaneously.
- Facilitates people through the change process.
- Willing to plan and prepare professional duties before, during, and after school hours when needed.
Job Application Form
We’ve also included a sample application form that you can provide to applicants responding to your posting.
