Hey everyone, and welcome to our Coaching Conversations bonus series! I’m kicking off The Literacy in Color Podcast with 2 episodes a week for a series of weeks… and each week’s 2nd bonus will be about COACHING.
If you’re a literacy coach, aspiring to become one, or even a teacher wondering how to make the most of the coaches in your building — you’re in the right place. Administrators, this one’s for you too! Literacy coaching is an incredibly impactful role, but it comes with unique challenges, especially in navigating the ever-expanding world of the Science of Reading research.
In this episode, Coaching with Heart, I’m going to share three essential tips to help you succeed as a literacy coach. These aren’t just strategies for helping teachers implement evidence-based instruction — it’s about leading with heart, building relationships, and fostering a culture of growth and support within your school.
Whether you're already in the thick of coaching or just starting out, my goal is to help you feel confident, effective, and prepared for the incredible impact you can have. Let’s dive into three ways you can coach with heart and make a lasting difference!
Tip #1: Be Approachable.
Approachability is everything! Believe it or not, your personality is even more important than your content knowledge. No matter how much you know, no one wants to be coached by someone who comes across as highly critical, judgmental, or acts like a know-it-all. The key to building trust is being warm, inviting, and approachable.
Teachers are professionals, but let’s face it — asking for help can feel vulnerable, especially when you’re an adult who’s used to being in control of your classroom. If your teachers don’t feel comfortable coming to you with questions or struggles, your expertise won’t even make it to the table. So, think of yourself as a safe space for growth. Smile, listen without judgment, and let them know you’re on their team.
Personally, I have always been that happy-go-lucky teacher who always has a smile plastered on her face.
I had the unique experience of becoming a coach in the school I was already working in. People knew me - but more importantly, they knew they could trust me. I thankfully had the know - like - trust factor with teachers and administrators. And I’m not saying that to be an effective coach, you need to be bubbly, Positive Polly all the time… but think about what it means to be approachable.
Now, it’s not always the case where you become a coach a school where all of the teachers already know you. Sometimes, you become a coach in a different building (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing - there’s definitely pros and cons to both scenarios) – or sometimes you even begin coaching in a brand new school district. The last thing you want to do is lock yourself up in your office, or walk into classrooms with a stern face. Eat lunch with teachers. Pop into classrooms to check in on people. Ask teachers what they need. Small gestures that show you care go a long way, and show teachers that you’re someone they can turn to.
Tip #2: Ask Teachers What They Want to Be Coached On
"Let me paint a scenario that some of you, especially moms, might resonate with. Imagine your newborn baby is crying, and suddenly everyone around you starts offering unsolicited advice: 'You're holding your baby wrong,' 'Try burping her this way,' 'She should really be swaddled,' or 'Don’t rock her like that, sway her like this.' What does this do? Well, 9 times out of 10, it angers and frustrates the mom. The key word here is unsolicited. If the mom asks for advice, that's a different story.
Now, take that same concept and apply it to coaching. Even with the best of intentions, if you walk into a classroom and start rattling off things the teacher could 'fix,' it’s going to come off as judgmental or nit-picky. No one is perfect, not even the most experienced teachers… and NOT even the coach.
Teachers are under enough pressure… and they ALREADY receive observations from administrators. That’s not your job. Your job is to work WITH the teachers, HELP them hone in on their craft, ultimately for the sake of seeing better student performance and engagement.
That’s why it’s so important to consult with teachers before diving into a coaching session. Ask them what they want your focus to be. Maybe they’re looking for feedback on their pacing or the way they’re delivering student feedback. By aligning with their needs, you’re offering support that feels collaborative rather than critical.
Tip #3: Respect Confidentiality.
As a literacy coach, it’s crucial to understand that you are not an administrator — your role is non-evaluative. While you may come into classrooms to observe, this is not a formal observation, and teachers should never feel like they’re being judged or assessed. One of the most important aspects of coaching is trust, and that trust hinges on confidentiality.
Teachers need to feel confident that what they share with you — whether it's challenges, concerns, or teaching practices — won’t be reported to others, especially administrators, without their consent. Your role is to support, guide, and help them grow, not to critique or evaluate their performance. By maintaining confidentiality, you build a safe, supportive environment where real growth can happen.
Sometimes, if a teacher has been doing wonderful, wonderful work implementing something we’ve been working on together, what I WILL do to say - Oh my gosh, do you want me to drop a shout out to the principal about this amazing work you’ve been doing? So, notice, I asked for permission - even for the positive. And 9x out of 10… okay maybe 10x out of 10, they say - of course. So many times we talk about bucket fillers for students… but that positive praise, with permission, can totally make a teacher’s day. AND it gives administrator’s an insight on the successful coaching work you’re doing.
So, just to recap - to be an effective literacy coach, remember these three key tips:
Be approachable – Be warm, inviting, and nonjudgmental. Building trust is more important than showing off your knowledge.
Ask what teachers want to be coached on – Coaching should feel collaborative, not critical. Consult with teachers and tailor your support based on their needs.
Respect confidentiality – Coaches are non-evaluative. Teachers need to trust that what happens in coaching stays in coaching unless they give permission to share.
I hope these tips resonate with you on your coaching journey… I do have a Coaching Menu freebie that I’ll link in the show notes - that can help YOU help your teachers with a slew of potential ways you can offer coaching support!
Be sure to stick around because I have some fabulous guest interviews with some pretty stellar literacy coaches in the field, sharing their experiences and expertise. Stay tuned!
