The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching: What Every K-12 Coach and School Leader Needs to Know

by Diane Sweeney, Leanna S Harris

Insights, ideas, and inspiration to keep student learning at the center of instructional coaching

Diane Sweeney and Leanna Harris, whose best-selling books have influenced the practice of thousands of K-12 coaches, frame how Student-Centered Coaching serves as an evidence-based model of professional learning that focuses on student outcomes. Shifting the focus from "fixing" teachers to partnering with them to reach goals for student learning takes coaching to the heart of what matters most in schools. The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching includes all-new material that is grounded in the latest research and the authors' extensive experience in the field of coaching. In it, readers will find

An emphasis on how coaching can be asset-based and focused on equity Current research in adult learning and professional development Examples of how to integrate curriculum into coaching cycles Anecdotes that illustrate what Student-Centered Coaching looks like across grade levels and content areas Designed to accompany Student-Centered Coaching: The Moves (Corwin, 2017) and Leading Student-Centered Coaching (2019), The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching provides the reader with a clear vision for how coaching can promote both teacher and student learning.

"In an honest and heartfelt voice, Diane and Leanna provide guidance and practical advice to help coaches navigate the complexities associated with their role. Diane and Leanna′s passion to ensure that student learning stays at the center of improvement work is evident throughout this book as they paint a path of implementation for coaching that will help educators in realizing collective impact."

--Jenni Donohoo, Author and Consultant

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

192 pages, ebook

First published March 12, 2020

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great practical guide to Student-Centered Coaching. It should be coupled with Diane Sweeney’s other book, Student-Centered Coaching: The Moves to get the full set of resources for implementing effective coaching cycles in schools. However, alone this is a great resource with lots of practical tools for setting up and supporting instructional coaching in schools.

[Erica Raines · Rating 3 out of 5]

A general overview of student- centered coaching.

Pros:
-reframes the process around the students to eliminate conflict while giving practical ways to navigate the transition
-some key resources to get started

Cons:
-Often mentions her other book "The Moves" instead of offering the information. This book was quite short. I'm wondering why they aren't combined.
-Cheesy anecdotes where the author refers to herself in 3rd person

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As my school is committing to instructional coaching this upcoming year, I thought this would be a helpful read for implementation support. It was! And now I will share it with the higher-ups so we can avoid the pitfalls that are planned for in this book. Glad I read it!

[Victoria Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for professional development. Easy to follow the thread, and it will have great impact on my work!

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for ideas on how admin can best support instructional coaches and teams of instructional leaders, and this book provided many easy-to-implement, sound ideas.

[Rhonda Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a book study for work. I am glad we are focusing on students and making data-based decisions. I have several other titles to supplement the concepts in this title.

[Marriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently accepted my first coaching position. This book was a great introduction to getting started with coaching.

[Ashley]

Book study at school

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am getting an endorsement in instructional coaching and this book was on the list. Very readable and applicable. I really like the idea of using data to drive the coaching in schools.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great coaching book.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book lays out the reasons, research, and practices to support student-centered coaching. The shift is from "fixing" teachers to partnering with them to help students (and teachers) reach their goals.

Focusing on student learning and growth is or why in education - this books supports the how.