Leading from the Classroom: Coaching, Feedback, and Influence

Description

What does powerful, non-evaluative feedback look like among peers? Research shows that instructional coaching fosters sustained growth in teaching practices, while effective feedback ranks among the most impactful strategies for improving student outcomes. When teachers develop the skills to coach and support one another, they not only elevate their peers' practices but also contribute to a stronger school culture and collective success. Join Dr. Kris Mitzner for this engaging workshop and explore how educators can lead from the classroom by applying coaching and feedback techniques that influence peers in positive, non-evaluative ways. You will dive into real-world examples—like a teacher leader supporting a colleague through reflective conversations and structured feedback—and explore how to model this kind of leadership in your own teaching environment. Learn how to build trust, initiate feedback loops, and support professional growth through strengths-based, reflective dialogue. Whether you are mentoring new teachers, collaborating on lesson planning, or simply aiming to make a bigger impact in your school, this workshop will provide practical tools and strategies for coaching with empathy and intention. Join us to discover how coaching and feedback can become powerful tools for teacher leadership, right from your own classroom.

Objectives

1. Identify the characteristics of effective, non-evaluative peer feedback.
2. Explain how instructional coaching influences professional growth and school culture.
3. Practice using feedback protocols to structure reflective teacher-to-teacher conversations.
4. Examine the dynamics of trust, empathy, and communication in peer coaching relationships.
5. Assess feedback techniques for alignment with best practices in adult learning.
6. Design a peer coaching plan that fosters collaboration and supports teacher development.

Key Take Aways

• Understand the role of non-evaluative coaching in supporting teacher growth and school improvement.
• Implement practical coaching strategies that encourage reflective conversations among colleagues.
• Promote strengths-based, actionable feedback to elevate instructional practices.
• Incorporate peer coaching structures and feedback norms to build a culture of continuous improvement.