Student-Centered Coaching: A Guide for K–8 Coaches and Principals

by Diane Sweeney

Improve student outcomes with data-driven coaching Student-Centered Coaching is grounded on the premise that school-based coaching can be designed to directly impact student learning. Shifting the focus from "fixing" teachers to collaborating with them in designing instruction that targets for student achievement makes coaching more respectful and results-based. The book also underscores the critical role of the principal in fostering a culture of learning. Each chapter

Genres: Education, Professional Development, Nonfiction, Teaching, School

232 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2010

Reviews

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very practical down to earth approach to school coaching by taking a student-centered, data driven approach. And here data also is very practical with some excellent examples of viewing student work and setting curriculum and developmental beginning points and grouping students in data sets following one set of assessments and then deploying coaching and measuring the same data point post coaching.
I can immediately see a lot of potential for this in my particular field - librarianship / information literacy and the ATL of research and it's one of those - ok I can put this into practice on Monday (well, maybe not Monday but in the immediate future) type of books.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready to start coaching!!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book for those looking at instructional coaching, as well as those looking to work in a professional capacity with any group of colleagues. I took a lot of notes on the ideas here!

[Martha Schwalbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I'd read this book with these people at the beginning of the school year and this new position. The last three chapters validated the way I'm feeling now and the aspects I've struggled with all year.

I would recommend this book to principals thinking of taking on school-site coaches.

[Tracy Jaconette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent approach to coaching that keeps the focus on student evidence and figuring out what's next.

[Bruce Nieminski · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.5/10
232 pages

[Melissa Macchia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great resource for getting started with student-centered coaching - chock full of user friendly rubrics and organizers. Can't wait to dive in and get started!

[Stuart Macalpine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diane Sweeney claims the aim of a book is to take a "humanistic, individualized, and data-driven approach to school-based coaching". She contrasts machine based metaphors for change with Peter Senge's work about how living systems change and cultivate new learning. The main body of the text gives examples of data informed coaching conversations around student learning and provides extremely useful models to think about how we reflect on student learning and engage with evidence of that. It is an important text from Corwin press.

[Heather Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the answer to so many questions I've had about coaching. Her basic premise is that in coaching we've spent way too much time focusing on instructional practices when we need to be focusing on student results. She includes ways to make classroom visits more student-centered and tools coaches can use to measure their effectiveness with student progress. This book is a must for anyone who's a coach or principal.

[Rochelle Eiseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great information that will be a tremendous resource as I take on my new role of learning strategist. This book for through components of how to establish a culture of learning and cooperation along with step by step advice for student centered coaching. I love this quote: "By combining data-driven coaching practices with a humanistic approach, we are driven by what matters...the success of each and every student, teacher, coach, and school leader in our schools."

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read...for principals and Instructional Coaches. We read/discussed this book on #educoach chat and were fortunate to have Diane Sweeney join us for a few of the chats. You can find archives of our chats at: http://educoachchat.wikispaces.com/Ar...

[Mleander23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for academic coaches, teachers, and all admin. So many great strategies and specific examples to help guide conversations and learning. Love the fact the coaching is focused around students being at the center and developing goals and outcomes around them to be successful.

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this book will prove to be a difference-maker for many. Clear, helpful, grounded in right-on philosophy.

[Heather Sisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reminders that coaching is about increasing student learning, and frames for conversation focused on students.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was outstanding. Practical. Honest. Transparent. Has changed the way I think about coaching.

[Melisa Mulder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book----I highly recommend!! It gives practical ways to implement student-centered coaching and also incorporates the concept of lab classrooms. Great appendices included.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on coaching. Will have a positive impact on my work with teachers.

[Deanna Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book. I was able to get some ideas as to what else I can implement into my coaching.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful and practical! A great guide for coaches who want to use data in a thoughtful and sensitive way.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best professional development books for how to coach teachers using data-immensely useful!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the better, more practical books I have been asked to read as part of a professional development initiative.

[Melanie Swider Wenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for coaches and principals!

[Ann Yanchura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweeney takes us to the next step in coaching - moving the focus from the teacher to student work.

[Tammy Westrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed rereading Diane's book that gets at the heart of coaching in a way that is not teacher focused but rather on improving student learning.