We want to give you a peek inside our Coach Certificate & Mentorship Program. Coaches taking part in this academic-year-long journey have graciously given us permission to post some of their learning and reflections from the private coursework they are undertaking during this program. Where possible, we have shared the course and the action task to give context for the guest post.

Watch Jennifer’s Video

Read Jennifer’s Reflection

When I started this program, my goal was to bring more intention and structure to coaching. The relationships were already there. Teachers trusted me. But I didn’t want to keep operating in a way that felt like I was chasing fires. I wanted clarity around what coaching is, how it works here, and how to build something that lasts.

Each milestone helped move that forward. The coaching menu gave teachers a simple, visual entry point that made coaching feel approachable. The feedback form helped open up reflection on both sides. And the case study helped me see just how valuable it is to share the story of the work.

The biggest area of growth for me has been shifting from “doing coaching” to leading it. Coaching is no longer just something that happens in conversations or cycles. It’s part of the culture we’re building. That took a mindset shift. I had to stop thinking about what I could manage alone and start thinking about what systems could support this work sustainably.

The milestone that had the biggest impact on me was Phase 3 and the case study. I realized how powerful it is to slow down, reflect, and write about what’s actually happening.

Next year, I’m stepping into a head of school role, and I’m taking the coaching lens with me. The things I’ve built this year: the menu, the feedback system, the rhythms for reflection, are things I’ll carry forward. I want to lead in a way that still feels human, that still creates space for people to reflect and grow, and that still keeps students at the center.

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Level Up Your Coaching with The Coach!

If you are ready to dive deep into your coaching practice, to help you #coachbetter and build a thriving coaching culture in your school, please join us for our next cohort of The Coach!

Wherever you are in building a coaching culture in your school, The Coach will give you the strategies, skills and tools you need to make coaching a success and will empower you to confidently apply instructional coaching strategies in any situation – from building a coaching program, to having coaching conversations, to being a leader in your school community. We facilitate only one cohort each academic year so we can offer individualized support for each participant.

Coaches of all levels are welcome: you’ll start the program with a self-assessment to determine exactly what the next steps are for you!