Our Commitment to Equity

Instructional Coaching Group is dedicated to creating professional learning opportunities for coaches, teachers, and leaders so students experience better learning and better lives. We believe in coaching that empowers teachers by elevating and embracing their voice and allowing their thinking and dedicated needs to drive the goal setting that is imperative for an effective coaching experience.  Research on engagement shows us that when teachers’ voices are heard, students are more likely to have a voice and when students have a voice, they are far more likely to be engaged at school. In encouraging teachers as active decision makers in their own improvement and that of their students, partnership coaching also addresses the historic voicelessness of teachers as a whole, and of teachers who are also members of historically marginalized groups.

Additionally, we strive to upend “silos of greatness” across schools by building bridges to deprivatize the effective teaching and learning happening in certain classrooms and make it happen in all classrooms.  By taking a partnership approach, we believe coaching helps interrupt inequities throughout our schools so all students can receive excellent instruction every day in every class by design through the support and empowerment of teachers.  We strive to reach the goal of every student learning in anti-racist schools where belonging and dignity are the norm. Operating out of partnership for people who are under pressure by mandates and societal pressure helps build the whole culture’s willingness to talk honestly about issues, failures, and successes, as well as address racism, micro-aggressions, and biases that inevitably hinder student and teacher growth alike.  Equitable school culture then operates out of choice, voice, and reflection within a bubble of trust and relationship.

Lastly, Long-term partnership has the greatest likelihood of turning professional learning into professional practice. We diligently work to make all of our professional learning experiences engaging, valuable, and focused on students. Decades of on-the-ground research tells us long-term partnerships move schools, districts, regions, and entities beyond workshops and courses to promote deeper implementation of research-based instructional coaching. Partnership can involve not only workshops but also coaching of coaching leaders, consistent communication and support, and embedded work on district- and school-specific concerns. This kind of partnership aids in sustainable coaching cultures where coaching becomes a practice everyone in the system embraces.