Overview
Setting Up a Coaching Program equips school and district leaders with the frameworks, tools, and supports needed to develop or refine a mentoring or coaching program that is aligned with standards, research, and best practices.
The positive effects of high-quality coaching on retention and quality for new and veteran teachers are well-known. However, starting and running a successful mentoring or instructional coaching program is complicated and has many unforeseen pitfalls. Whether you are just starting a program or have one in place that you’d like to optimize, this 4-month online program will provide you with a clear framework, tools, and examples for planning, building, sustaining, and evaluating your offerings.
Program Details
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4 CEs University of Pennsylvania Continuing Education Credits
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120 ACT 45 & 48 Credit Hours
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December Grades will be awarded
About the Program
This professional learning program consists of 4 asynchronous modules and 3 live sessions. Key topics include:
Overview: Elements of Effective Mentoring and Coaching Programs
- Making a case for mentoring and coaching
- Features of effective mentoring and coaching programs
Live Session 1: Understanding Our Context
- Review of system mapping, discussion of implications
- Considerations for using course content to support action plan development
Module 1: Organizing for Success
- Imagining success
- Dedicated leadership
- Resourcing your program
- Building system alignment
Module 2: Finding and Developing Mentors and Coaches
- Options for program design
- Job descriptions, responsibilities, deployment
- Planning mentor/coach professional learning
Live Session 2: Planning Our Approach
- Review plans for setting up programs, troubleshooting, and considerations for next steps
- Share in small groups the plans to date and get feedback
Module 3: Ensuring High-Quality Support
- Beginning teacher onboarding and professional learning
- Instructionally focused mentoring/coaching
- Culturally responsive mentoring/coaching
- Connecting mentoring/coaching with other teacher learning structures
Module 4: Planning for Improvement and Sustainability
- Strategies for mentor/coach assessment
- Creating ongoing program assessment and improvement systems
- Using your data for program improvement
- Communicating for program sustainability
Live Session 3: Preparing for Action
- Thinking together about data, sustainability, and communication
- Sharing plans in small teams and getting feedback
- Strategies for turning plans into action
Upon successful completion of this program, you’ll be able to:
- Understand the critical elements of an effective mentoring or coaching program
- Collaborate with system partners to map the current conditions and envision ideal states
- Design a mentoring/coaching program aligned with standards, research, and best practices
- Plan for program optimization and sustainability through data collection, analysis, and communication
- Participate in a learning community to share resources and support one another's development
| Dates | Sessions | Time/Format |
|---|---|---|
| September 8, 2025 | Program Opens | |
| September 8-22, 2025 | Module 1 | Asynchronous |
| September 22, 2025 | Live Session 1 | 7:00-8:30 p.m. (ET) |
| September 22-October 13, 2025 | Module 2 | Asynchronous |
| October 13-November 3, 2025 | Module 3 | Asynchronous |
| November 3, 2025 | Live Session 2 | 7:00-8:30 p.m. (ET) |
| November 3-24, 2025 | Module 4 | Asynchronous |
| November 24-December 15, 2025 | Module 5 | Asynchronous |
| December 15, 2025 | Live Session 3 | 7:00-8:30 p.m. (ET) |
| December 19, 2025 | Program Closes | |
Take the Next Step
Simply click the Register Now button to create an account and submit an application. Or if you need more information to make an informed decision we encourage you to click Request Information.
Instructor
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Emily L. Davis
Questions?
Do you have questions about our the program? We're here to help!