Coaching Institute

We offer two subject matter strands at the Coaching Institute: (1) English language arts (ELA) and social studies, and (2) mathematics and science. All participants may choose one of these strands, regardless of what courses or subject matter they teach. We design the sessions to be accessible to all participants, even if they are not deeply familiar with the subject matter. Teacher educators who do not teach subject matter methods courses should simply choose the strand with which they feel most comfortable.

Looking to further refine your skills at planning and leading rehearsals and coaching teacher candidates? The brand new advanced strand of the Coaching Institute is an opportunity for teacher educators in all content areas who already have some experience facilitating rehearsals to go even deeper. Participants will practice in-the-moment coaching strategies with actual teacher candidates and work through common problems of coaching practice. Using shared scenarios as a common reference point, participants will refine their capacity to give powerful feedback, to launch and debrief rehearsals more effectively, and to attend more closely to content and equity considerations during rehearsal. The advanced strand will also support participants to draw on one another’s expertise and workshop rehearsal plans and tools for real-time use in their own teaching contexts.  Previous experience is required to join this strand, such as prior attendance at a Coaching Institute or participation in our Certificate Sequence program or other TeachingWorks series (approved on a case-by-case basis). Participants must bring and share artifacts (e.g., video, lesson plans) of their own practice designing and/or facilitating rehearsals. Please contact Francesca Forzani (fforzani@umich.edu) for permission to enroll prior to registering.

Throughout our work together, we will focus on coaching teacher candidates on the high-leverage teaching practice leading group discussions. Learn more about this practice on the TeachingWorks Resource Library.  

We will use teaching contexts and prompts from open-source K-12 curriculum materials in common use across the United States. Situating our practice in detailed lesson plans and units increases the authenticity of our interactions, and helps familiarize teacher candidates with the work of analyzing and modifying curriculum materials.

We will be working with teacher candidates from teacher preparation programs local to the Ann Arbor area. Teacher candidates are chosen from a lottery and are compensated for their time with a small stipend. All participating teacher candidates receive instruction from TeachingWorks staff before the Institute. We take care to ensure a positive learning experience for teacher candidates and teacher educators alike.

University of Michigan School of Education, 610 E. University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. 

Parking is available and in walking distance to the School of Education at 650 S. Forest Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. The rate is $1.20/hr or $28.80 for 24 hrs or lost parking ticket. Rates are subject to change. 

For questions about the sessions: Francesca Forzani, TeachingWorks Deputy Director, fforzani@umich.edu

For questions about registration, travel assistance, and policies: Kyana Taylor, TeachingWorks Project Manager, @kyanat@umich.edu  

If an emergency arises while you are traveling,  please call us at 734.255.3115.

View a tentative schedule for the event here.  Please note that this is a sample schedule. A final schedule will be provided to all registered participants prior to the event.

TeachingWorks reserves the right to cancel in-person, virtual, or hybrid training or workshops before the start. TeachingWorks staff will notify participants of cancellation via e-mail. Participants will be eligible for a full refund of their registration fee. TeachingWorks will not be held responsible for any expenses incurred due to the cancellation of an event, training, or workshop.

For a full refund (100%), participants must submit a written request to cancel or withdraw 30 days prior to the first day of the event (in-person or virtual). Fifty percent (50%) will be refunded for requests received 15 days prior. No refunds will be issued for requests received within seven (7) business days of the first day of the event or failure to submit the required documentation required for participation.

Anyone who teaches teachers is welcome at the Coaching Institute. No previous experience with practice-based teacher education is necessary. The Institute is particularly geared toward instructors who work closely with teacher candidates, including methods course instructors, education foundations instructors, and education psychology instructors. Mentor and cooperating teachers in K-12 schools will also find the Institute valuable as a means to better coach and support teacher candidates, and to work toward ensuring coherent learning experiences for teacher candidates across both pre-service coursework and fieldwork.

Participants must have internet access, a computer laptop or tablet, and a webcam for the virtual synchronous session on Friday, October 13 or Friday, October 20, 2023.

During the in person sessions, participants are required to have  a laptop or tablet available for access to digital resources. No other supplies are required.

This event includes group work with other participants and teacher candidates, and early departure from the event affects the individual participant experience and the experience of other participants and teacher candidates. Except for emergencies, please plan to stay for the entire event.

Business casual.

Your health and safety are important to us. We will evaluate appropriate COVID-19 precautions closer to the time of the event and communicate any requirements to attendees prior to the event.