Interview Questions For Instructional Coach

What Approach Do You Take When Your Team Is Struggling

Interviewers want evidence that you can solve challenging situations. When answering this question, try to use a specific example of how you previously worked through struggles on your teams.

Example:When I notice my team is struggling, I first determine whether the issue exists across all players or at an individual level. If I decide the whole team is struggling with a specific technique or method of playing, I implement team drills during practices to explain my expectations and help them develop that skill. If it is an individual problem, I speak with them before or after practice and suggest drills they can do at home to improve.

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As I Start My Fourth Year As An Instructional Coach I Had The Opportunity To Be Interviewed For A Graduate Class For Prospective Instructional And Literacy Coaches Although I Recorded My Answers As Audio Files I Am Sharing The Transcript Of My Interview Below

• Question #1: What is your current role related to instructional coaching and how did you find yourself serving in that capacity?
• I am an Instructional Coach at a Mitchellville Elementary which is a preschool through fifth grade building. In my role, I am not content specific, so I work in all content areas with classroom teachers, special education teachers, reading specialists, art/music/pe/and guidance counselors. Four years ago my district received the Teacher Leadership and Compensation Grant through the state of Iowa. As part of this grant, the district added one instructional coach position to each elementary building, 2 to our 6th grade building, 4 to the junior high, and 6 at the high school. In my previous position I had been facilitating professional development, so transitioning into the Instructional Coaching role seemed like a natural next step in my professional journey.

Describe What Your Bench Area Looks Like During Games

This question shows interviewers how you manage your team and the rules of conduct you set. Detail how you keep control of your bench, and explain your reasoning.

Example:”First, I make sure to adhere to any rules set by the organization or facility. I do not mind whether players are sitting or standing, as long as they remain in the bench area. What is most important to me is that they are focused on the game and cheering on their fellow teammates. To me, this is a sign of respect because they are supporting their team even when off the court. I also want them to maintain respectful language toward the opposing team to show good sportsmanship.”

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What Are The Roles Of A Coach

There are general roles of a coach regardless of the area of practice. It would be best to convince the interviewer that you understand what your job entails.

Tip #1: Mention the roles that are specific to your area of coaching.

Tip #2: Do not take too much time answering this.

Sample Answer

A coach teaches the relevant skills, tactics and techniques enhance performance through different programs, identifies strengths and weakness and comes up with good training programs.

Why Did You Want To Become A Coach

This question is a personal one, which means the answer will vary based on your experience and background. Interviewers commonly ask this because they want to gain insight into who you are and what you can bring to the position. While they will appreciate hearing a personal story about your inspiration to take on this role, remember to align your reasons with their needs.

Example:”When I started high school, I was so excited to join the soccer team but soon felt like I was nowhere near as talented as my teammates. My coach noticed my change in demeanor and pulled me aside. After listening to my concerns, she explained why I should stop comparing myself to others. She outlined the skills I brought to the team and kindly offered suggestions on the areas I could improve. Every few weeks, she checked in on how I was feeling and provided feedback on my progress.

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How Would You Handle Pushback From Teachers

It can be challenging to work with different teachers, as not all educators are as open to instructional coaches as some. Take criticism with a grain of salt, as many teachers do not understand the role of an instructional coach.

The best advice I have been given is to âWater the flowers, not the rocks.â Sometimes you need to give people time to wrap their heads around the idea of an instructional coach, but being present, available, knowledgeable, and friendly are all ways to make someone feel more comfortable with you.

Why Did You Decide To Transition From Classroom Teaching To Educational Consulting

I started my website in 2003 and published my first book in 2008, so Id been laying the groundwork almost since the beginning of my teaching career. When I got married in 2009 and moved to Brooklyn, it was nearly impossible to find a teaching job, and the only work I could find was as a part-time instructional coach. I realized immediately that coaching was the next logical step for me: I am passionate about supporting and inspiring other educators, and being a teacher of teachers allowed me to make an impact in our field on a much bigger scale. The coaching work has grown into speaking at conferences and professional development events. Ive also published three more books, started a podcast and designed curriculum materials and online courses. So, now theres this entire Web of interrelated resources that I get to create for supporting teachers it is so much fun!

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Are You Good At Working With Other People

I can communicate effectively with others which has been critical to my success as an instructional coach. For example, my willingness to listen to my colleagues has helped me motivate them and improve performance. When the quality of a teachers work begins to falter, I meet with them to discuss the issue. I listen to their concerns about work, and we discuss ways to solve the problems while improving performance. I firmly believe that open communication and active listening are vital to improving performance.

What Are Your Off

Interviewers are often interested in finding out how you plan your off-season, which can be just as important as in-season strategies. Your potential employer may have expectations of their own regarding players’ off-season habits, so make sure you can back up your decision if your choices differ.

Example:”Ideally, I would like my players to continue practicing their skills during the off-season, whether on their own, with friends or as part of a club. I do understand that they may have other commitments, so I would at least like them to maintain a regular exercise routine. As we get closer to the start of the season, I host open-gym sessions to provide an opportunity for them to practice and get back into the team mindset.”

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Mention A Time That You Failed As A Coach And The Lesson You Learnt

Most people fear answering this question believing that it is a trap when it is not. It is an attempt to assess whether you can learn from your mistakes and never repeat them.

Tip #1: Mention an occurrence that happened in your early years of service.

Tip #2: Convince the interviewer that you learnt your lesson.

Sample Answer

I worked with a sports team that paired me with a panel of experts. However, at one point, I decided to disregard their opinions and went ahead to organize the team formation and logistics. We were thrashed in a match that would have seen us qualify for an international competition. I learnt to always teamwork even as a coach, and consider everyones input.

Name Some Activities To Work Emotions In High School

Emotional intelligence is essential for the well-being and healthy development of people. Especially children and adolescents. It is essential to pay attention to the emotional education of children. For this, we can use a series of cards to work on emotional intelligence in high school.

• Identify your own emotions What am I feeling?
• Know the thought that triggers the emotion What am I thinking?
• Being aware of our behaviors What am I doing?
• Learn emotional strategies and resources that help children manage their emotional states.

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How Do You Develop Community Support For Your Team

This is normally important for funding purposes and building a fan base.

Tip #1: Explain to the interviewer the actions you take to generate support.

Tip #2: Show that you can help the program thrive

Sample Answer

Over time, I have learnt that the best way of garnering community support is by getting involved in their activities. I plan to organize volunteering opportunities that the team will host throughout the session.

General Literacy Coach Interview Questions

Here are 20 general questions literacy coaching candidates may receive in an interview:

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How Does Your Bench Area Look Like During Games

The interviewer wants to know if you are a good manager who can set conduct rules for the players.

Tip #1: Tell the interviewer how you keep control of your bench.

Tip #2: Explain your reasoning

Sample Answer

I always ensure that the players remain in the bench area, whether they are standing or sitting. However, they have to stay focused on the game and cheer their teammates.

What Is Your Vision For This Role

This type of question you can be asked during a teacher interview for instructional coach jobs. The role in itself is so broad, as you work with so many different teachers and various administrators. Be prepared to discuss what your vision for the role is, and mention the impact it will have on student achievement in the long run.

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Literacy Coach Interview Questions With Example Answers

Reviewing potential questions and example answers may help you better understand how to form an effective response and prepare for your upcoming interview as a prospective literacy coach. Here are five in-depth questions you may encounter in a literacy coaching interview, including explanations of why hiring managers may ask them, instructions on how to answer and sample responses:

What Is Your Secret To Successful Instructional Coaching

Positive psychology had appealed to me for a long time and in 2020I attended an extensive training course again after a long time. The content inspires me to this day. The study results are fascinating and the content goes far beyond resource orientation. The focus is on well-being and personal growth on a mental and psychological level.

In the foreground of every PP coaching is the awakening of strengthening feelings. I have found that a good balance between empowering and debilitating emotions promotes our well-being and many other abilities, as well as protecting our physical and mental health.

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Questions Youll Be Asked At An Instructional Coach Interview

Making the transition to a new role can be stressful, but you can prepare for the interview to demonstrate that youre the best candidate for the job.

Are you considering making the transition to becoming an instructional coach? Every teacher deserves to be coached, and so dosoon-to-becoaches. While there are numerous resources to support you in preparing for an interview, here are my suggestions for questions to keep in mind, the kinds of questions youll be asked.

First, though, you should ask yourself, is your mindset readyreally ready? The idea of leaving the classroom can be stressful, exciting, and, for some, filled with guilt. Are you ready to step into that interview with confidence that you arethe right person for the role?

Reflect on your mindset. Say goodbye to that negative self-talk. List out the numerous experiences you bring to this position as well as your skill set. Dont compare yourself to othersyoure unique, and you know in your gut that youre ready, so believe in yourself. Now that your head is in the game, lets move forward.

Great Questions For Instructional Coaches

by Jim Knight | Oct 24, 2019 | Best of 2020, Instructional Coaching, Uncategorized |

For the past few years, Ive been asking people for their metaphor for coaching, and Ive heard a number of different suggestions, including a sherpa, sour dough yeast, and the gobstopper that Violet eats in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Two metaphors have been particularly powerful for me. On one hand, coaching is similar to improvisational comedy. Its a living, back-and-forth interaction. When Im coaching, I dont know exactly what Im going to do until my partner in the process says what they have to say. I ask a question, they say something, I respond, and so on. Its also a bit like tennis. I can only do what Im going to do once Ive seen where my conversation partner hits the ball. Similarly, my partners responses inform what further questions I will ask in the coaching cycle.

When I wrote The Impact Cycle , I included questions to go along with the stages of the process, but the more we have seen the Impact Cycle in action, we have discovered that coaching is an even more dynamic process than originally described in the book.

IDENTIFY

LEARN

Since the Learn stage of the cycle focuses on the coachee learning strategies for reaching their goals, questions in this stage can be limited. However, it can be helpful if they are posed as variations on how you are presenting the strategies. Such as:

IMPROVE

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What Difficulties Do Educators Come To You With

It is not easy to answer that the difficulties or issues that need to be worked on are about as different as the individuals themselves. In summary, I can say that young people often push out the material they have to learn. This is a major problem, along with the practical application of learning strategies, which requires a high degree of discipline and self-organization if it is to lead to success. Fear of exams is also an area that I work on regularly. In the case of younger children, the educators tell me in advance where they see the difficulties. The areas are diverse a lack of motivation and concentration, dependent learning and doing homework, which constantly leads to conflicts, the wrong learning strategies, and so on.

Challenges Of Being An Instructional Coach

Gonzalez: Talk to me a little bit about your biggest challenge. What are some of your biggest challenges as an instructional coach?

Berger: So they say, this is the infamous phrase, like This wont work with my kids or in my school in or in my district. And what that really means is what Im telling them is unfamiliar. They cant wrap their head around and personalize it. So what I have to do is get in with their kids. This is where co-teaching is a great part of coaching because I can say Alright so youre struggling with this group of students. Let me show you how this technique can work. And when they see it happen in their own classroom, with their own kids, that takes that whole excuse out of it. Because theyre like Oh you worked in Title One with some tough challenging kids. or That wouldnt work here. or You worked in this suburban school. or You only worked elementary. And Im like, I taught elementary, but I only coach middle and high school. I feel like Ive got the gamut that Ive learned. Again I dont know everything, but I just want you to give it a shot. And then we can move from there and well problem-solve together, but I think thats the one sentence that its like I can almost bet its going to happen.

Gonzalez: Yeah.

Gonzalez: Yeah. So it sounds like that preThat pre-observation conference is really, really key.

Bridgers: Oh good.

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How Do You Prepare For An Instructional Coach Interview

• Step 1: Understand what instructional coaching is and what it is NOT. Read all about that here.
• Step 2: Do your research! If you are new to instructional coaching check out some research articles/books to better understand the profession. I have linked my favorites at the bottom of this page.

• Step 3: Get clear on how you see yourself in the role and the qualities you possess that would make you a great coach.

• Step 4: Talk it through with someone who knows you professionally- they may have insights into your talents that you are not even aware of. Better yet talk to a current instructional coach to get a behind the scenes look into this world.

Are you looking for someone to coach you through this process? Send me an email and lets chat!