The Instructional Coach’s Toolkit

Coaching "All Hands"

All Hands is a simple technique with a telling observable: is the reveal actually simultaneous? This episode covers what to watch for in a walkthrough, how to distinguish ritual from real assessment, and the coaching conversation to have when a teacher collects the signal but doesn't respond to it.

Coaching "Break It Down"

The ratio of redirects to targeted responses after student errors is one of the clearest indicators of whether Break It Down is in a teacher's repertoire. This episode covers what to watch for, the diagnostic questions worth bringing to a debrief, and why coaching this as a persistence issue misses the point.

Coaching "Art of the Consequence"

How long a consequence interaction takes and whether the teacher resumes instruction immediately afterward are two of the most observable signals of mastery here. This episode covers what to look for, what to bring to a debrief, and why consistency is the coaching conversation that matters most.

Coaching "Change the Pace"

Pace management is one of the harder things to coach because the best teachers do it instinctively. This episode gives coaches a framework for observing it systematically—what to track across a lesson, when to expect the drift, and the debrief questions that help teachers move from reactive to proactive.

Coaching "Show Call"

Show Call is one of the clearest windows into a teacher's in-the-moment decision-making. This episode walks through what to look for during a walkthrough, how to tell whether a teacher is selecting work strategically or just celebrating the best responses, and the coaching questions that push the technique deeper.

Coaching "Without Apology"

Without Apology is a Teach Like a Champion technique that helps teachers set and maintain high academic expectations without softening, hedging, or over-explaining. Rather than signaling doubt or discomfort, teachers using Without Apology present rigorous content as normal, expected, and worth students’ effort. This communicates confidence in both the material and the learners. In this episode, we explore how subtle language choices can either undermine or reinforce expectations, what Without Apology sounds like in everyday instruction, and how it supports student identity and academic seriousness. If you want rigor that feels steady rather than performative, this technique is key.

Coaching "Front the Practice"

Front the Practice is a Teach Like a Champion technique that asks teachers to place guided practice at the center of instruction, not as an afterthought. Instead of saving practice for the end of a lesson—or assigning it as independent work—Front the Practice prioritizes coached, in-the-moment practice while the teacher is actively observing and adjusting. When done well, it surfaces misconceptions early, increases student confidence, and ensures practice actually improves performance. In this episode, we unpack what Front the Practice looks like in real classrooms, why it accelerates learning more reliably than extended explanation, and how to structure lessons so practice drives instruction rather than follows it.

Coaching "Engineer Efficiency"

Engineer Efficiency is a Teach Like a Champion technique focused on designing classroom systems that protect instructional time. Rather than relying on reminders, redirection, or improvisation, Engineer Efficiency asks teachers to anticipate friction points and remove them through clear routines, tight transitions, and purposeful lesson design. When classrooms are engineered well, directions are fewer, downtime shrinks, and students spend more minutes actually learning. In this episode, we explore what it means to engineer—not just manage—efficiency, common traps that quietly drain time, and practical moves teachers can make to streamline instruction without sacrificing rigor or relationships. If you want smoother lessons and more learning per minute, this technique matters.

Coaching "Do It Again"

Do It Again is a Teach Like a Champion technique that helps teachers turn “almost right” work into consistently strong performance. Instead of moving on when students fall short of the standard, Do It Again asks teachers to pause, reset expectations, and have students try again—this time with clarity and purpose. When used well, it communicates that quality matters, effort is non-negotiable, and improvement is always possible. In this episode, we break down what Do It Again really looks like in practice, why it builds both academic rigor and classroom culture, and how to apply it efficiently without derailing instruction. If you want higher standards without higher volume, this technique is a powerful place to start.

Coaching "Strong Voice"

Strong Voice is a Teach Like a Champion technique that helps teachers communicate authority calmly, clearly, and consistently—without raising their voice or escalating emotionally. It’s about using precise language, economy of words, and confident presence so expectations are unmistakable and follow-through is reliable. When Strong Voice is in place, classrooms feel orderly without feeling tense, and teachers spend less time negotiating behavior and more time teaching. In this episode, we unpack what Strong Voice really looks and sounds like, how it differs from being loud or harsh, and why it’s foundational for both classroom culture and instructional efficiency. If you want directions that stick the first time, Strong Voice is essential.