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The Art and Science of Teacher Coaching
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The Art and Science of Teacher Coaching
What It Is, What It’s Not, and How to Do It

An Illustrated Guide



April 2026 | 232 pages | Corwin

Elevate your coaching practice and make a meaningful impact

Instructional coaching holds immense potential to support teachers, elevate practice, and improve student outcomes. However, coaches are often left to figure things out on their own, and the impact of coaching can be limited without a clear, research-based approach. The Art and Science of Teacher Coaching is a practical and reflective guide that centers on collaboration, trust, and student-focused growth. Blending research-based insights with vivid illustrations and adaptable strategies, this book empowers coaches and leaders to foster meaningful dialogue, deepen professional learning, and elevate teaching practice.

This accessible primer is an entryway to high-impact coaching practices. It provides a comprehensive look at the history and goals of coaching, how to build credibility, and the core skills that matter most. You will learn to:

  • Build rapport and trust, ground conversations in evidence, guide reflective dialogue, and provide actionable next steps
  • Integrate various coaching structures, including micro-coaching, short-cycle, and full-cycle coaching, to meet diverse needs
  • Expand your practice from individual support to effective team coaching, fostering collective efficacy and aligning growth with school-wide goals

With strategies, self-assessments, sample prompts, and other practical resources, this illustrated guide will help you strengthen your impact and unlock the full potential of coaching as a force for authentic growth.


 
Dear Reader
 
About the Authors
 
About the Illustrator
 
Section 1: Where Coaching Begins
The History of Academic Coaching in Schools

 
A History of Limited Impact

 
Definitions of Coaching

 
Differing Roles in Coaching

 
 
Section 2: The Goals of Coaching
The Goals of Coaching: Building Expertise, Not Just Performance

 
Skills and Performance Improvement Require Deliberate Practice

 
Cues, Prompts, and Retrieval: Scaffolds for Learning and Performance

 
 
Section 3: Credibility in Coaching
Why Credibility?

 
Trustworthiness in Coaching

 
Competence in Coaching

 
Dynamism in Coaching

 
Immediacy in Coaching

 
 
Section 4: Coaching Skills
Validating and Expanding Coaching Skills

 
Connect ? Establish Rapport and Trust

 
Ground ? Use Evidence With Clarity and Neutrality

 
Engage ? Guide Thinking Through Conversation

 
Advance ? Provide Actionable Next Steps

 
 
Section 5: Coaching Models
Cycles of Coaching

 
Micro-Coaching

 
Short-Cycle Coaching

 
The COACH Framework: A Research-Based Guide for Short-Cycle Coaching Conversations

 
Full-Cycle Coaching

 
The Core Components of Full-Cycle Coaching

 
Annual Coaching Foundations Meeting

 
The Pre-observation Phase: Establishing Purpose and Clarity

 
The Observation Phase: Gathering Descriptive, Nonevaluative Evidence

 
Post-observation Conversation: Reflection, Analysis, and Refinement

 
Extending the Cycle: Analysis, Refinement, and Sustainability

 
 
Section 6: Coaching as a Team Sport
From Individual to Team Coaching

 
Designing Effective Structures for Team Coaching

 
Navigating Team Dynamics

 
Balancing Individual Growth With Collective Goals

 
Leveraging Feedback and Evidence for Teams

 
Aligning Team Coaching Within the System

 
 
Conclusion: Coaching as the Art and Science of Shared Growth
 
References
 
Index

Purchasing options

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

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ISBN: 9798348857875
$40.95

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

For instructors

Please select a format: