Coach Approach

Please visit www.coachapproach4schools.com for the CoachApproach blog and find out information about upcoming #CoachApproach Twitter chats.

The book addresses the dilemma faced by many principals: how to function as learning leaders while fulfilling their evaluative and management duties.  Our answer? Incorporating instructional coaching techniques as an integral part of serious school improvement.

The Coach Approach to School Leadership explains how principals can:

• Master the skill of “switching hats” between the nonjudgmental coach role and the evaluative supervisor role.
• Expand their classroom visits and combine coaching with evaluation requirements.
• Nurture relationships with teachers and build a positive school culture.
• Provide high-quality feedback to support the development of both teachers and students.
• Empower teachers to lead their own professional learning and work together as a team.

“The Coach Approach to School Leadership will change the conversation about how principals can serve as instructional leaders. Providing principals with tools and strategies to “put on their coach’s hat” is a much-needed step for teaching and learning in our schools. So often, principals wonder how to provide relevant support to teachers, and serving as a principal-coach is a way to do just that. The authors’ breadth of knowledge around both leadership and coaching makes this book a must-read for principals.” —Diane Sweeney, author of Student-Centered Coaching: The Moves

“Among the most significant actions great principals do differently is getting out of the office and into classrooms to help teachers improve their skills. In this must-read book for school leaders, the authors of The Coach Approach to School Leadership present both a mindset and practical tools supporting school leaders to address the paradox of being both coach and supervisor. Through a focus on instructional coaching techniques and a deep understanding of the many challenges facing principals, The Coach Approach to School Leadership offers extremely valuable guidance in the vital work of leading teachers to higher levels of effectiveness.” —Todd Whitaker, professor, speaker, and author of What Great Principals Do Differently

“The Coach Approach to School Leadership is a must-read book for all administrators who have been searching for a framework to help them move beyond the traditional practices of supervision and evaluation of teachers to that of learner and coach. Johnson, Leibowitz, and Perret not only provide specific resources and strategies to help you build your capacity, but also challenge you to reflect on the positive impact that effective coaching techniques can have on your overall school culture. This is a book that I will keep close by and continue to refer back to time and time again.” —Jimmy Casas, author, speaker, and senior fellow, International Center for Leadership in Education

“The expertise of this author team shines a spotlight on perhaps the most impactful work of the school principal: coaching. If we’re not spending our time supporting our teachers, building their capacity, and emphasizing instructional quality, then what are we really doing? This book hits the mark with practical tools, examples of what principal-coaching looks like, and ammo to fend off the counter-arguments–prepare to restart your principalship!” —Pete Hall, former school principal and coauthor of Building Teachers’ Capacity for Success

“The Coach Approach to School Leadership casts a compelling, elegant, and even beautiful vision for leading learning. It presents an ambitious yet workable approach to managing the central paradox of the principalship, showing how we can wear the “coach’s hat” as often as possible while holding staff to high standards. Essential reading for every school leader.” —Justin Baeder, director, The Principal Center, and creator of the Instructional Leadership Challenge

“The most successful school leaders recognize the profound impact they can have when they step into the role of a learning leader. In The Coach Approach to School Leadership, the authors offer a candid and explicit description of this role and argue convincingly that in order to lead teachers to higher levels of effectiveness, we must be able to weave instructional coaching practices into our work as principals. Filled with practical and applicable suggestions and tools, this book is a wonderful handbook for any administrator’s desk.” —Alisa Simeral, educational consultant and coauthor of Building Teachers’ Capacity for Success

“Jessica, Shira, and Kathy have provided me with wonderful learning opportunities at #educoach on Twitter for the last several years. Now, in The Coach Approach to School Leadership, they have extended that learning opportunity to principals, offering specific strategies, tools, and illustrative scenarios as well as responses to barriers and challenges. As a bonus, you can join in the dialogue and continued learning at #educoach and #coachapproach on Twitter. Your investment in “The Coach Approach” will positively impact your teachers and students.” —Steve Barkley, PLS3rdLearning

“For too long, building principals have been seen as those who went to the dark side when they entered into school leadership. This is flawed thinking: many principals go into leadership because they want to help everyone around them improve, including themselves. The Coach Approach to School Leadership provides effective ways for principals to promote the self-efficacy of the teachers around them. Johnson, Leibowitz, and Perret rely on their numerous years of experience to offer an important resource to any school principals who want to use their power for good and not evil.” —Peter DeWitt EdD, author, consultant, and author of Finding Common Ground(an Education Week blog)

“The Coach Approach to School Leadership takes the challenging task of instructional coaching by school leaders and breaks it down into achievable, understandable, and meaningful chunks. Whether you are a leader adding coaching to your tool belt or a veteran coach, you will see yourself in the many vignettes and interviews throughout the book and gain from the authors’ perspectives and experiences. This engaging and easy-to-read book will help you start conversations, initiate reflection, and inspire growth. You will gain insight into your own practice through the authors’ honest reflections, sharing of successes and challenges, and provision of real-world tools to support leaders wearing their coach’s hats.” —Melanie Eisen, associate director for professional development, Prizmah: The Center for Jewish Day Schools