What is Leadership Coaching?

The lead4ward leadership coaching model is designed to increase the principal’s confidence and competency to lead. While the school principal is tasked with meeting the needs of staff, parents, and students, the coach focuses on the needs of the principal, functioning as an expert listener, careful observer, and challenging questioner. With the coach’s reflective questioning, the principal is empowered to reflect, build confidence from within, and identify problem-solving models that build and sustain a strong culture of high academic performance and learning.

 

Together, the coach and principal will work to build instructional leadership capacity by:

  • identifying, leveraging, and building on the principal’s strengths
  • prioritizing work by creating individual and campus goals through the T-PESS domains, Texas principal competencies, and student achievement data
  • anticipating challenges to leading change
  • building the capacity of the leadership team to anchor daily work around campus and individual goals
  • planning for facilitation of productive meetings, including prioritizing and scheduling
  • role playing conversations, including those regarding employee evaluation
  • planning for difficult conversations with parents
  • celebrating the principal and campus work

 

The coach will also assist the principal in the implementation of purchased lead4ward resources to maximize instructional leadership by:

  • collaborating in real-time using lead4ward’s Leading Learning Series and other resources to maximize planning, student engagement, and student achievement
  • using lead4ward data tools and other resources to identify trouble spots and areas of celebration
  • identifying patterns of learning during a unique school year to create action plans for intentional intervention
  • implementing knowledge gained through lead4ward services

What can a campus leader expect from coaching sessions?

Leadership coaching can be in-person, virtual, or a combination. Each leadership coaching session begins with a focus on the best use of the time, followed by a structured conversation around that focus. Reflection at the end of the conversation allows for review of the productivity of the session, plans for the next session, and actions to take. All sessions are kept strictly confidential.

 

Virtual coaching can stand alone or serve to follow up on in-person coaching, goal setting, and any other topic the principal may chose.

 

In-person coaching has the added benefits of:

  • walk-through observation calibration (principal and coach)
  • working with the principal to develop processes that empower PLCs to become self-guided
  • assisting the principal in identifying leaders that will support the school’s vision
  • confidentially assisting the principal in evaluating campus culture, communication, and leadership opportunities for those on campus

 

Are you a district leader (other than a principal) who is interested in leadership coaching? Let us know; we can help!

 

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Questions?

For questions, email sophia@lead4ward.com

Leadership Coaching Consultants

Sophia Acevedo

Sophia Acevedo is the 2021 Texas recipient of the U.S. Department of Education’s Terrell Bell award. As principal, Sophia led her school to several TEA distinctions, including being named a National Blue-Ribbon campus. Read more–>

Diane Potter

Diane offers a wealth of knowledge and experience developed through her extensive educational career. As a leadership consultant and coach, Diane works with campus leaders to enhance their confidence through increased competence in their work. Read more–>