Each summer I post a blog encouraging instructional coaches to request a conversation with their principals. Scheduling the time, especially uninterrupted, for the necessary coach/principal conversations is often difficult. Summer may provide the perfect opportunity for the instructional coach to call the principal and request a coffee hour to catch up and/or establish a plan for the start of the new year.

It is critical that coach and principal function as a team and are seen by staff as being “on the same page.” A teacher should discover that as she implements changes discussed with a coach, her principal notices and reinforces those efforts. It should be obvious to the staff that issues addressed in their faculty meetings align with topics of PLC and coaching conversations sparked by the coach. This does not mean there isn’t confidentiality in coaching conversations. It does mean that the common focus on student achievement and the thoughts about the necessary student learning production behaviors to produce that achievement are in place.

Here are some questions arranged for differing scenarios concerning the coach’s and principal’s time at the school. I added a section specifically looking at experiences during the pandemic. Mix, match, and add the questions that best generate reflection and understanding.

Coach and principal both returning, having worked together last year.

• What do you identify as our greatest success last year in student learning?
• What did you notice in teaching/learning observations that would have led you to predict that success?
• What do you see as our focus for student growth this year?
• What changes will teachers need to make to gain the student learning behaviors we need?
• What would you see and hear students doing that would tell you the teacher changes are in place?
• How would my work support the changes we need?
• What do you believe you will need to do?
• How should we plan to communicate the plan to the staff?

Principal returning and coach is new to the school.

• What are some of the strongest student achievement results the school is getting?
• What do you believe are the staff efforts that are getting those results?
• Where are you envisioning the next desired increase in student achievement?
• What will we need to get students to do to reach that result?
• What will that require teachers to do?
• How should I begin my work to support those efforts?

“A principal’s support or lack of support can make or break a coaching program.”

-Jim Knight

Coach returning and the principal is new.

• What have your experiences been coaching, being coached, and working with school-based coaches?
• How does the role of a coach fit into promoting the school culture you will want to develop?
• What questions do you have for me?
• How can my work assist you as you begin knowing and guiding student achievement success?

Coach and principal are new to the school.

• What have your experiences been coaching, being coached, and working with school-based coaches?
• How does the role of a coach fit into promoting the school culture you will want to develop?
• What do you know about the school that will focus our beginning work? What do we need to find out?
• What are some of the initial impressions and messages you want the staff to receive?
• How can I best support the start of that work?

Post Pandemic

In many cases, the pandemic shone a light on problems, weaknesses, and strengths that were already present in our teaching/learning processes.

• What are some that you recognized?
• What new behaviors/actions did you implement during the past year that you want to keep as leadership practices?
• What are some of the most important things students and teachers need to experience as the new school year begins?

If you are a principal and your coach does not request a summer conversation, consider sending an invitation. Then forward this blog. I believe there is real value in the coach hearing your responses. I’d love to hear the experiences of anyone experimenting with these questions. Good luck in building your partnerships.