Our Mission

Working together as a team, we will end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children’s success through high quality teaching and learning for all. We seek to build relationships with families and communities to ensure that every student succeeds. We will know every student.

Our Mission

Resources about Instructional Coaching

ACPS Model Assumptions

Coaching in ACPS is based on the assumptions that coaches:

Support dynamic implementation and continuous improvement of FQL, TPA, PLC, and best teaching and learning practices.
Influence teaching practices in individual classrooms.
Engages and facilitates teachers around learning.
Support investment in school-based changes/development
Are school-based and centrally-managed
Support vertical/horizontal communications within a school
Use an in-school and cross-school collaborative team-centered approach.

Support for ACPS Coaches includes: a New Coach Induction (first year), bi-monthly Instructional Coach PLC ("ICPLC") meetings, weekly cluster meetings, opportunities for co-coaching, time for goal-setting/reflection, quarterly observation(s) by Lead Coach.

Articles and Presentations About ACPS Coaching

"The Ed Narrative"- Darren Ralston This collection of podcasts developed by Darren Ralston, instructional coach for Albemarle County, focuses on reflective practice in education.
"Interview with Superintendent Pam Moran on Instructional Coaching" - Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day Larry Ferlazzo's interview with Dr. Pam Moran, Superintendent of Albemarle County Public SChools, about instructional coaching.
"Personal Best" - The New Yorker Magazine Top athletes and singers have coaches. Should you? This article by Atul Gawande from October 2011 includes information about Albemarle County Public Schools' instructional coaching model.
ACPS Coaching Model Overview This presentation was shared to provide context for a discussion about instructional coaching at a March 2015 principal's meeting.
ACPS Instructional Coaching: Partnering, Connecting, Learning This presentation was given to the ACPS School Board in the spring of 2015.

General Coaching Frameworks

Reflections on Cognitive Coaching This Educational Leadership article describes how cognitive coaching helps teachers exploring untapped resources within themselves.
The Art of Coaching Teachers Elena Aguilar, author of "The Art of Coaching," regularly updates this blog on Ed Week.
Differentiated Coaching Jane Kise, author of this book 1st year coaches study, explains on her website why coaching should be differentiated based on teacher preferences.
"Teach to Win" by Jim Knight This article, from Principal Leadership, describes seven success factors for instructional coaching programs.
Instructional Coaching This website from the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning provides research and resources on instructional coaching.
Five Things to Consider Before Becoming an Instructional Coach Author & coach Elena Aguilar highlights five pivotal considerations any teacher need to reconcile before embarking on the journey of becoming an instructional coach.

Support of Novice Teachers

New Teacher Center This website references the New Teacher Center at Santa Cruz, which informed how instructional coaches support the induction of novice teachers.
Center for Teacher Leadership This center provided professional development support in the first years of the ACPS Instructional Coaching model.
"Phases of First-Year Teaching" - New Teacher Center This article by Ellen Moir outlines the journey of the first year teacher.