The EduCoach Survival Guide

The Original 1st Edition!

Have you missed a classroom observation because you were asked to substitute teach? Been assigned to “fix” a teacher? Had a teacher who chronically cancels meetings? Are teachers (and possibly even your principal) confused about what you actually do as a coach? You are not alone!

While other books on coaching provide an invaluable overview of the profession, our survival guide is a resource for when things aren’t going as planned. Meant to be consulted on the fly, this book details a wide variety of tactics for overcoming obstacles that frequently prevent a coach from helping others improve, all while embracing the irregularities, idiosyncrasies, and even absurdities of working with adults. In each of the 47 scenarios it discusses, we will help you to:

1. Choose your own best plan of action
2. Game out contingency plans and follow-up steps
3. Gather the right tools and supplies
4. Find sources of inspiration
5. Protect yourself from burnout.

With the right guidance, even the difficult parts of coaching can be an exciting journey for those who truly want to impact the learning of teachers and students. So grab your metaphorical hiking boots and cram our guidebook into your pack, knowing that you’ve got a trusty reference tool for emergencies!

Included Scenarios:

1 The Coach Is New And Needs To Quickly Build Relationships And Establish Credibility
2 The Coach’s Caseload Is “Too Big”
3 The Coach Observed A Lesson “Bomb”
4 The Coach Needs A Confidential Workspace
5 The Coach Is Assigned To “Fix” A Teacher
6 The Coach Is In “The Friend Zone”
7 The Coach Is Having A Hard Time “Liking” A Client
8 The Coach “Lost Their Cool” In A Meeting
9 The Coach Is Asked To Model In A Classroom Not Set Up For Success
10 The Coach Is Asked To Make Lesson Plans For A Teacher
11 The Coach Is Assigned Excessive Duties (That Affect Time To Coach)
12 The Coach Needs A System For Managing Time
13 The Coach Feels Isolated
14 The Coach Wants To Collect Data On Their Coaching
15 The Coach Needs A Mentor
16 The Coach Is Returning From (Family) Leave
17 Teachers Don’t Understand The Role Of Coach
18 Teachers Don’t Think They Have Enough Time For Coaching
19 Teacher Chronically Cancels Meetings at the Last Minute
20 Coaching Conversations Frequently Get Interrupted
21 Teachers See Coach As Technology “Helper”
22 Teacher Is Nervous About Video Recording
23 Teacher Is Hesitant To Try Something New
24 Teacher Feels Overloaded
25 Teacher Is Resistant To Change
26 Teachers Regularly Engage In Gossip
27 Teachers Use Toxic Language Or Behavior
28 Teacher Is Not Respected By Their Colleagues
29 Teacher Had A Personal Emergency That Impacts Them Emotionally
30 Teacher Is Getting Feedback From Too Many Sources
31 Teacher Is Too Dependent On The Coach
32 Principal Is Not Clear On The Coach’s Role
33 Coach Wants To Build Better Relationship With Principal
34 Principal Has “Shiny Object Syndrome”
35 Principal Cancels Meetings Or Does Not See A Need to Schedule Regular Meetings
36 Principal Appears Overwhelmed
37 Principal Relies Too Heavily On The Coach
38 Principal Has A Lot Of Ideas But Lacks A Plan
39 Principal Seeks Confidential Details About Teachers From The Coach
40 Teachers Lack Structured Time To Meet Together
41 Team Members Don’t Get Along With Each Other
42 Teachers Are Hesitant To Take On Team Leadership Roles
43 Team Members Are Chronically Late To Team Meetings
44 Team Members Don’t See A Reason For Meeting Together
45 Team Members Lack Defined Roles
46 Teachers Don’t Bring Assigned Work To Meetings
47 Teachers Don’t Follow Agenda In Meetings