Laying the Foundation for Effective Coaching

For coaching to thrive, it must be built on strong relationships, clear expectations, and intentional planning. Sweeney emphasized that coaching is not just about working with individual teachers—it’s about cultivating a school-wide culture of learning. This requires alignment between coaches, teachers, and school leaders to ensure that coaching is recognized as a valuable and embedded practice rather than an add-on or intervention.

To set the stage for success, Sweeney outlined three essential phases of effective instructional coaching:

1. Building Relationships – Whether coaches are new to a school or have been in the role for years, establishing trust and credibility is the foundation of impactful coaching. Coaches should work to build authentic partnerships with teachers, principals, and leadership teams, positioning coaching as a collaborative and non-evaluative process.
   
   
2. Intentional Planning – Successful coaching is strategic, not reactive. Coaches and principals should align on instructional priorities, determine which teachers will receive coaching support, and establish clear goals for measuring impact.
   
   
3. Messaging and Marketing Coaching – Coaching thrives when educators understand its value and feel encouraged to participate. Sweeney advises coaches to be proactive in communicating their purpose, creating multiple entry points for teachers to engage in coaching, and positioning coaching as an accessible, supportive resource.
   

The Power of Coaching Cycles

One of the key takeaways from the conversation was the importance of structured coaching cycles. Sweeney highlighted that coaching is most effective when it follows a clear, multi-week structure that aligns with instructional units. Coaching cycles allow teachers and coaches to co-plan, observe student learning, analyze evidence, and refine instruction in a way that leads to measurable improvement.

To accommodate different needs, Sweeney recommends both full coaching cycles and mini coaching cycles. While full cycles provide deeper engagement, shorter cycles offer flexibility while maintaining a focus on student outcomes. Regardless of the approach, the goal remains the same—coaching should be centered on student learning and informed by real-time evidence.

Key Advice for Instructional Coaches

Sweeney shared one essential mindset shift for coaches: coaching is about partnership, not expertise. Coaches don’t need to have all the answers—they need to be skilled thinking partners who ask the right questions, co-assess student learning, and help teachers uncover strategies that meet the needs of their students.

Additionally, she stressed the importance of principal advocacy. A coach’s impact is significantly greater when the principal actively supports and prioritizes coaching. The most successful schools are those where coaching is integrated into the larger vision for instructional improvement, rather than treated as an isolated initiative.

Moving Forward

Sweeney’s insights reinforce that effective coaching isn’t about checking a box—it’s about fostering a culture of learning where teachers feel supported, students thrive, and instructional excellence becomes the norm. Whether through stronger partnerships, strategic planning, or well-structured coaching cycles, instructional coaches have the opportunity to be catalysts for lasting change in schools.

Want to keep learning? Watch the full video or join the KickUp community to connect with other coaches and education leaders who are passionate about improving instructional coaching.