NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning’s Coach University is a structured program of professional learning designed to develop exceptional instructional coaches in schools and districts across the nation.
Founded in the NC New Schools/Breakthrough Learning coaching model, the program is designed to build a cohesive foundation for instructional coaching while developing sustainable staff capacity. The Coach University curriculum has a strong emphasis on instructional strategies that align with the new Common Core State Standards.
The 24-day Coach University program takes place over 12 months in a typical cohort. Services include individualized on-site support, group professional development, foundational training with school staff and administrators, study visits to model schools and a statewide conference highlighting instructional best practices.
Upon completion of the program, instructional coaches will be equipped with the skills to:
- Facilitate whole-staff professional development to support the use of evidence-based practices that inspire all students to read, write, think and talk in every classroom, every day.
- Conduct demonstration lessons or co-teaching in various classrooms so that teachers can experience the practices in a classroom setting.
- Support an instructional rounds model to assist classroom teachers in reflection on their own practice and help them determine appropriate next steps.
- Help faculties use data effectively for instructional planning.
- Partner with principals as instructional leaders to plan professional development sessions for the school year.
