Special Episode: Coaching the Coaches – How One Georgia District Supports Instructional Coaching at Every Level

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Coaching the Coaches with Kanisa Williams

In this episode, Jason and Dan sit down with Kanisa Williams, an instructional coach from a large Georgia district, who coaches other instructional coaches. They talk about how coaching cycles are implemented not just with teachers, but with coaches, and the importance of modeling, trust-building and communication. 

Kanisa shares how she supports new coaches in clarifying their role, planning productive coaching cycles and using teacher data to identify priorities.

 Key Takeaways

  • How coaching cycles for instructional coaches mirror those for teachers
  • Why modeling and co-planning are essential, even for coaching coaches
  • Strategies for building trust in new coaching relationships
  • Tips for setting clear goals and boundaries when you’re new to a campus
  • Using teacher data to guide the focus of coaching cycles

Mentioned in the Episode

  • Importance of early wins to build confidence with new coaches
  • Creating clarity around a coach’s role to avoid being seen as “just an extra helper”
  • The power of transparency and reflection in professional growth