Network Overview
The Leading Coaches Network is a collaborative professional learning community designed specifically for those who lead, support, supervise, and develop instructional coaches. Whether participants currently serve as coaching coordinators, instructional leaders, district administrators, or lead coaches, this network provides a space to think deeply about the unique challenges and opportunities involved in coaching coaches.
Leading coaches can often feel isolating. Many individuals in these roles are responsible for developing coaches without having a formal network of peers to learn alongside or a clear roadmap for the work. This quarterly network creates an opportunity for leaders of coaches to engage in meaningful dialogue, explore contemporary coaching practices, work through real problems of practice, and build a supportive community with others doing similar work across districts and systems.
Each virtual one-hour session will include collaborative learning, discussion of current trends and research in instructional coaching, opportunities to share resources and ideas, and structured problem-of-practice conversations designed to help participants leave with practical next steps and renewed clarity.
Participants Will:
- Collaborate with other leaders who support and develop instructional coaches
- Explore contemporary coaching practices rooted in the work of Jim Knight, Steve Barkley, Diane Sweeney, Joellen Killion, Elena Aguilar, Michael Bungay Stanier, and others
- Discuss real-world problems of practice connected to leading coaching programs and supporting coaches
- Develop stronger systems and structures for coaching support and implementation
- Share tools, resources, and professional learning opportunities for coaches
- Build a sustainable professional network of peers engaged in similar leadership work
- Reflect on the unique skills and conditions necessary for coaching coaches effectively
Network Format
The Leading Coaches Network will meet quarterly for one-hour virtual sessions. Each session is designed to balance community-building, collaborative learning, shared problem-solving, and practical application.
One-Hour Session Structure
|
Time |
Session Component |
|
0:00–0:10 |
Welcome, greetings, networking, and current reality check-in |
|
0:10–0:35 |
Focused learning, resource sharing, or spotlight on contemporary coaching practices |
|
0:35–0:50 |
Collaborative problem-of-practice conversations |
|
0:50–1:00 |
Debrief, share-outs, feedback, reflection, and next steps |
2026–2027 Meeting Dates & Topics
|
Date |
Session Theme |
Focus |
|
Thursday, September 24, 2026 2:00-3:00 |
Launching the Work |
Defining the role of the leader of coaches, clarifying systems and expectations, and building network connections |
|
Thursday, December 10, 2026 2:00-3:00 |
Supporting Coaches Through Complexity |
Coaching through resistance, initiative fatigue, emotional labor, and changing campus needs |
|
Thursday, January 21, 2027 2:00-3:00 |
Growing Coaching Capacity |
Designing meaningful professional learning for coaches and identifying high-impact development practices |
|
Thursday, March 4, 2027 2:00- 3:00 |
Measuring Impact & Sustaining the Work |
Evidence of coaching impact, storytelling with data, and strengthening long-term coaching systems |
Why This Network Matters
Instructional coaching continues to expand across districts and systems, yet many individuals leading coaching work are navigating the complexity of the role without a dedicated professional learning community of their own. The Leading Coaches Network is designed to strengthen those leaders through connection, collaboration, and contemporary learning so they can more effectively support the coaches who ultimately impact teachers and students every day.