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 Stephanie’s Video

Read Stephanie’s Reflection

What goals did you set for yourself at the beginning of the program?

At the start, I aimed to simply clarify my coaching identity, build confidence in using various coaching stances, and become more intentional and impactful. I was just eager to learn anything I can use to better myself as a coach.

How did each milestone support you in reaching your goal?

Each milestone offered structure and focus, helping me break my goal into actionable steps. From defining a vision to implementing a coaching cycle, the milestones guided me to think critically, reflect deeply, and align my work with purpose. They also provided a collaborative space to test, refine, and own my coaching decisions.

What has been your biggest area of growth in the program?

My biggest growth has been in developing a clear and confident coaching identity. I now approach my role with a deeper understanding of how to flex between coaching stances while staying grounded in purpose and strategy.

Which milestone had the most impact on your professional growth this year & why?

It was probably Milestone 2, which focused on launching and sustaining a coaching cycle that was the most impactful. It required me to be intentional about every phase—from goal setting to reflection—and showed me the power of structured partnership work. It pushed me to align actions with outcomes and stay reflective throughout. The creation of it gave me more clarity.

Where do you still have room to grow?

I’m still growing in how I differentiate my coaching to meet a wider range of teacher needs, particularly in adapting my approach in real time. I also want to strengthen how I use data to drive coaching conversations more fluidly.

What surprises and/or challenges have you had along the way?

One surprise was how much clarity and confidence I gained through regular reflection and milestone work. A challenge was balancing the demands of coaching with other school responsibilities—staying strategic in the midst of urgency required constant recalibration. The time commitment for this course was a challenge.

What would you do differently next time? What did you learn?

Next time, I would build in more time for reflection and feedback with my coachees throughout the cycle. I learned that sustained reflection—not just at the end—can make the biggest difference in shifting practice.

How did the Coach support you in your learning journey?

The Coach was a steady thought partner who offered just-right support and challenge. My thinking was stretched, the work was relevant, and the collaboration the course brought to our team was invaluable.

How has your learning inside the Coach impacted your coaching practice & program in your school setting?

The learning has made my coaching more purposeful and strategic. I now approach planning, conversations, and cycles with greater clarity and focus, and this has led to more meaningful outcomes for the teachers I support. It’s also helped build stronger trust and alignment within our school’s coaching program.

What’s next for your professional learning?

I want to continue developing my ability to lead coaching with an equity lens, deepen my skill in facilitating team-level coaching, and explore ways to use data more powerfully in partnership work. Ongoing reflection and collaboration will be essential in that journey.

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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!