{"id":24356,"date":"2024-11-14T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/?p=24356"},"modified":"2025-12-17T12:57:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T20:57:31","slug":"strategies-for-when-you-lack-an-instructional-coach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nwea.org\/blog\/2024\/strategies-for-when-you-lack-an-instructional-coach\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategies for when you lack an instructional coach"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What\u2019s the difference between an athlete who wins a race and one who finishes among the rest of the pack? It might be technique, practice time, nutrition, or motivation. It\u2019s likely a combination of factors, but one that\u2019s undeniable is the relationship of the athlete with their coach. The best athletes inevitably have the best coaching relationships: relationships that have been built intentionally to help the athletes progress further toward specific goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While educators aren\u2019t athletes, they work long hours toward goals that can get lost amid the daily setbacks and struggles they encounter. And just like athletes, educators require effective coaches throughout their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where did all the coaches go?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We are currently experiencing some of the highest teacher attrition rates in modern times, especially in urban or high-poverty areas, where turnover rates are 19\u201329%<\/a>, resulting in many schools becoming \u201cbottom heavy\u201d as experienced educators retire or transition into other careers. These attrition rates<\/a> over the last several years have left many schools with fewer than half of their teachers having greater than five years of teaching experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The loss of pandemic-related funding and a shortage of qualified teachers to hire has led many districts to cut, or greatly reduce, the number of instructional coaches, the individuals most directly involved with supporting educators in meeting their goals. So, what\u2019s an educator to do when they discover they don\u2019t have a coach?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autonomy in finding your own a coach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a teacher, you may often feel you have coaching done to<\/em> you. For example, your students\u2019 scores aren\u2019t where they should be, so an administrator informs you you\u2019ll be part of a coaching cycle the following term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is directly opposed to athletes, who seek out coaches whom they feel can help them meet their performance goals. Educators can\u2014and should\u2014do the same thing. Because when we have autonomy<\/a> in choosing our coaches, selecting the focus of coaching, and determining the methods used to achieve our goals, we are more likely to meet our goals and have a greater impact on student learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Find a coach, or create one<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Is there someone in your building or district who teaches a different content area and whom you admire? Ask them if you can take a learning walk together to explore what you admire most in their teaching or strategies. If no one comes immediately to mind, consider asking yourself the following questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n