Instructional Coaching: Understanding the Role with Ready-to-Use Resources

For teachers, coaches, and school leaders, this guide offers a clear overview of instructional coaching—what it is, why it’s important, and how it improves the outcomes of evidence-based literacy practices in classrooms. It emphasizes a coach’s role as a collaborator in scaling effective reading instruction and assessment, aiming to make the most of educators’ time through efficient, structured practices. It also includes practical resources such as job descriptions, goal-setting templates, and other downloadable forms to support effective coaching.

You will learn

  • What Instructional Coaching is and why it’s important
  • How to hire an Instructional Coach
  • How Instructional Coaching works in practice

What is Instructional Coaching and Why is it Important

In this article you’ll get a detailed look at what Instructional Coaching is, alongside the features that make for strong coaching that will support your teaching team the best.

Two teachers standing next to each other in a library.

What Instructional Coaching Is and Is Not

A concise look at what instructional coaching is (and isn’t), why it works, and how it improves teaching practice and student outcomes.

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I Want to Hire an Instructional Coach: Where Do I Start?

Tools and resources for leaders to set up a successful instructional coach structure within a district.

How Instructional Coaching Works in Practice

An overview of the instructional coaching continuous improvement cycle and accompanying documents for effective implementation.

Instructional Coaching Continuous Improvement Cycle shows 4 stages: Pre-conference, demonstrations, feedback, and classroom visits.

Another Continuous Improvement Cycle in Education? We Promise This One is Helpful

This article unpacks how instructional coaching works through a clear, cyclical process designed to support continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

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Supporting Resources

Instructional coaching focused on the science of reading will cover a wide range of topics including a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS), assessment, core instruction, and supplemental interventions. Additional resources will be helpful in coaching these topics.