How can you improve classroom observations and coaching sessions?

1 Set clear goals and expectations

Before you observe or coach a teacher, you should have a clear purpose and focus for the session. What are the learning objectives, standards, or competencies that you want to observe or coach? How will you measure and document the teacher's performance? What are the criteria and indicators of effective teaching that you will use? You should communicate these goals and expectations to the teacher beforehand and agree on a time, place, and format for the observation or coaching session.

2 Use a variety of methods and tools

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to classroom observations and coaching sessions. Depending on your goals and context, you can use different methods and tools to collect and analyze data, such as checklists, rubrics, rating scales, notes, audio or video recordings, surveys, or interviews. You can also vary the type and frequency of the observation or coaching session, such as formal or informal, announced or unannounced, individual or peer, pre- or post-observation conference, or ongoing or episodic. You should choose the methods and tools that best suit your needs and preferences, as well as those of the teacher.

3 Provide specific and actionable feedback

One of the most important aspects of classroom observations and coaching sessions is the feedback that you provide to the teacher. Feedback should be specific, actionable, and evidence-based, meaning that you should refer to concrete examples and data from the observation or coaching session to support your comments and suggestions. Feedback should also be balanced, respectful, and supportive, meaning that you should highlight the teacher's strengths and achievements, as well as areas for improvement, and offer encouragement and resources to help the teacher grow and improve.

4 Involve the teacher in the process

Classroom observations and coaching sessions should not be a one-way communication from you to the teacher. Rather, they should be a collaborative and dialogic process that involves the teacher's input, reflection, and action. You should invite the teacher to share their goals, challenges, questions, and concerns before, during, and after the observation or coaching session. You should also encourage the teacher to self-assess their performance, identify their own strengths and areas for improvement, and set their own goals and action plans for future practice.

5 Follow up and monitor progress

Classroom observations and coaching sessions are not isolated events, but part of a continuous cycle of professional learning and improvement. Therefore, you should follow up and monitor the teacher's progress after the observation or coaching session. You should provide ongoing support and feedback to the teacher, such as by checking in regularly, reviewing their action plans, observing their practice again, or sharing resources and strategies. You should also evaluate the effectiveness of the observation or coaching session, such as by asking for the teacher's feedback, assessing the impact on student learning, or reflecting on your own practice as a mentor or coach.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?