By Dr. Felicia Bolden
Instructional coaching presents challenges for any school leader, especially when working with teachers who have never experienced coaching—whether they are new to the profession or seasoned veterans. Because teachers and school communities often emphasize strengths, it can be difficult for educators to acknowledge areas where growth is needed. With thoughtful, empathetic coaching, educational leaders can create a reflective process that supports teacher development, improves classroom practice, and ultimately boosts student learning.
When instructional coaching is not implemented with care and strategy, it can add stress to teachers already stretched thin—an issue made more acute by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research indicates that work-related stress is strongly linked to anxiety and depression among teachers, and that stressful school environments increase the risk of depressive disorders. Instructional coaches must therefore be mindful of educators’ social-emotional needs. Effective coaches bring confidence, purpose, and genuine care to their work, creating safe spaces where teachers can be open about challenges without fear of judgment. The true aim of coaching is to strengthen instruction in ways that enhance student outcomes while reducing teacher stress.
Tips for Coaches to Support and Interact with Educators
Instructional coaches need a broad set of interpersonal skills to connect authentically with teachers. The familiar maxim “relationships before rigor” applies equally to adult learning: educators need trusting, supportive relationships before they can fully engage in rigorous improvement efforts. The following strategies help coaches build that foundation:
- Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. When coaches respond with understanding rather than punishment, teachers feel safer taking instructional risks and experimenting with new approaches.
- Listen more than you speak. Use open, strategic questioning to help teachers identify strengths, pinpoint areas for growth, and define practical next steps.
- Balance personal connection with professional focus. Simple, genuine questions about a teacher’s day, family, or interests open trust and make it easier to move into focused conversations about instruction and practice.
Coaches can also leverage reflective tools like video-based coaching and structured observation protocols. Video allows teachers and coaches to analyze classroom interactions together, using agreed-upon indicators to guide reflection. Before viewing footage, establish a clear focus so that feedback centers on shared goals. Notes taken during conversations help coaches summarize what was heard, clarify meaning, and plan follow-up actions. When used well, these tools shift the emphasis away from evaluation and toward continuous improvement supported by evidence.
Trust is essential. Teachers often share sensitive information during coaching—about their practice, their students, or their personal circumstances—and confidentiality must be protected. Breaching that trust can undermine relationships and stall progress. Coaches who consistently prioritize people’s well-being create durable professional bonds that enable sustained work to improve teaching and learning.
Establishing Lines of Communication and Trust
Open, predictable communication reinforces trust between coaches and teachers. Setting regular office hours signals availability and consistency. Coaches can also send brief newsletters, schedule follow-up conversations during coaching cycles, and use reminders for deadlines or key tasks. These practices keep teachers informed and reduce uncertainty.
Equally important is advocating for teachers when workload or timelines become overwhelming. Coaches should feel empowered to request reasonable accommodations—such as deadline extensions, extra planning time, or additional resources—to protect teacher well-being. When educators see that coaches actively listen and act on their needs, they feel valued and supported.
To be truly effective, instructional coaches must have a solid grasp of the curriculum, state standards, and assessment requirements. They should use structured protocols to guide focused conversations and incorporate tools that facilitate self-reflection and goal setting. When coaching practices are transparent and resource-driven, teachers experience the process as supportive rather than punitive. Because coaching can influence teacher morale and mental health, the role requires sensitivity, expertise, and a commitment to ethical practice.
Support Teacher and Student Success
Prioritizing educators’ mental health is essential, particularly in the context of staffing shortages and increasing classroom demands. When teachers feel supported, trusted, and equipped with high-quality coaching, they are better able to invest in students’ learning. District and school leaders should ensure that instructional coaches are intentional and consistent in their work: building relationships, offering practical resources, and advocating for conditions that allow teachers to succeed. Coaches who combine empathetic support with instructional expertise play a key role in strengthening both teacher effectiveness and student achievement.
About the author
Dr. Felicia Bolden has 23 years of experience in education as a teacher, specialist, and administrator. Her academic background includes elementary education (grades 1–8), administration and supervision, and teacher leadership. She spent many years teaching 3rd- and 4th-grade math and science and currently serves as an elementary school principal. An advocate for technology in learning, Dr. Bolden supports strategies such as BYOD, flipped classrooms, blended and project-based learning, and computer-based instruction. She holds a certificate in instructional computer literacy. Originally from South Louisiana, she now lives in South Texas with her family. Her interests include higher education, instructional leadership, reading leadership books, dining out, and tracing family history.
This article was originally published by The Learning Counsel, a research institute and news media hub focused on the shift toward digital curriculum in education.