Degree Date

3-2022

Document Type

Dissertation - Public Access

Degree Name

Ed.D. Doctor of Education

Academic Discipline

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Christine Nelson

Second Advisor

Dr. Angela Elkordy

Third Advisor

Dr. James Fitzpatrick

Abstract

Instructional coaching has been shown to be an effective way to improve teacher practice through structured partnership and goal-oriented collaboration. This qualitative study examined the perspectives of instructional coaches, teachers, and principals on the presence of six key components of effective instructional coaching programs: building relationships, remaining connected to students, developing leadership skills, modeling for teachers, building in plan time, and remaining focused on the goal. An examination of the data collected via open-ended surveys and semi-structured interviews indicated that the Aqua Valley School District may strengthen their instructional coaching program through addressing how coaches build relationships, remain connected to students, develop leadership skills, remain focused on the goal, and build in plan time with teachers. These areas may be bolstered by increasing connection with students through instructional coaches having a purposeful presence in the classroom, setting goals for coaching partnerships that incorporate student outcomes and learning standards, and positioning instructional coaches as strategy experts through the purposeful use of planning time.

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