Coach's Compass

The Coach's Compass model, from authors Tesha Ferriby Thomas and Jennifer Parker, presents instructional coaching as a collaborative journey toward a shared destination. The unique MTSS-C framework adapts MTSS student intervention principles to support teachers through tiered coaching interactions. Founded on four quadrants-trust, goals, modeling, and resources-the Coach's Compass provides a framework that fuels professional growth and drives continuous improvement.This guidebook equips K 12 instructional coaches and leaders to: Align coaching efforts with PLC priorities and instructional improvement goalsAdapt coaching strategies based on readiness, context, and needIdentify who to support using the MTSS-C framework to differentiate coaching for teams and individualsDefine what to focus on through four coaching quadrants trust, goals, modeling, and resourcesDetermine how to shift from isolated interventions to purposeful, tiered interactionsContents:Introduction: The Importance of Coaching in EducationChapter 1: PLC Approach to CoachingChapter 2: The Coach s CompassChapter 3: Quadrant 1 Trust and RelationshipsChapter 4: Quadrant 1 Scenarios and DebriefingChapter 5: Quadrant 2 Goals and OutcomesChapter 6: Quadrant 2 Scenarios and DebriefingChapter 7: Quadrant 3 Teaching and ModelingChapter 8: Quadrant 3 Scenarios and DebriefingChapter 9: Quadrant 4 Support and ResourcesChapter 10: Quadrant 4 Scenarios and DebriefingChapter 11: Navigating the Tiers and Quadrants With the Coaching LogEpilogueAppendix A: Coaching Interactions LogAppendix B: Personal Interest SurveyAppendix C: Free Personality AssessmentsAppendix D: Protocols for Creating Norms and Collective CommitmentsAppendix E: Conflict Resolution Tool KitAppendix F: Chalk TalkAppendix G: Structured Dialogue Protocols for Teacher TeamsAppendix H: Accountable Talk FramesAppendix I: Celebrate Small Wins Tool KitAppendix J: Ladder of InferenceAppendix K: Courageous Conversations CompassAppendix L: Protocols for Constructive ConflictAppendix M: SCARF ProtocolAppendix N: Reciprocal Peer Observation Walkthrough ProtocolAppendix O: SMART Goal TemplateAppendix P: Root-Cause Analysis ProtocolsAppendix Q: Data Analysis ProtocolsAppendix R: Last Word ProtocolAppendix S: Retrieval Practice Planning GuideAppendix T: Graphic Organizer Planning TemplateAppendix U: Learning LabsAppendix V: Instructional RoundsAppendix W: Stop and Jot ProtocolAppendix X: Four Hats ProtocolAppendix Y: Shifting Mindset From Fixed to GrowthAppendix Z: Coach Goal-Setting Worksheet Coach, Team, Teacher, Standards, StudentsReferences and ResourcesIndex