The Art of Coaching: Effective Strategies for School Transformation Paperback – March 4, 2013

This book is unlike any other that I have have found and I have walls of books on education, school reform and the like. "The Art of Coaching", though, offers both a very practical, concrete and accessible path into coaching, and it is so much more sophisticated and nuanced than that. Showing a fierce commitment to equity, a compassion for those who are being coached and a set of reflections and tools that also transform the coach, this book is frequently used in my work.In addition, we have a team of five coaches who meet monthly based on this work. Sometimes we rad from it, we always apply the lenses and it always supports us and helps us to grow. You will not be disappointed by this purchase.I've been a high school teacher and secondary AP/Principal and now am coaching. This book would have been applicable in all of those roles.

I was a coach before I read this book, and often felt both my head and my heart pulling me towards a different way of coaching than I had been trained in. When I read Art of Coaching, I finally understood why. Rather than being told compliance was the ultimate goal, I found a philosophy that valued every individual and their unique gifts. This is not a one-and-done reading and/or workshop experience; rather, it's a book you just keep coming back to, over and over, to continually refine your practice.

I am really enjoying reading this book I have no regrets purchasing it and even though I’m not a coach there are strategies and techniques and just the basic ideas that I can use to incorporate into my own teaching skills and also my every day life.

I used it for my career.

I bought this book as I was going into my first year as an Instructional Coach. This book provided realistic and meaningful strategies, resources and advice that is readily applicable. Be sure to use the accompanying online resources and book study components as well!

Lots of good stuff in this book. There is a great piece in the chapter on "which beliefs help a coach be more effective?" that focuses on "the dangers of unmonitored beliefs." This is key. Coaching is fairly new to the education world and many instructional coaches struggle to define themselves at school sites in a way that is most effective. This book can definitely supports new and veteran coaches alike to be more reflective in their complicated role.

As a new coach, this book has been a life saver. Elena gives real examples and suggestions in easy to understand language. I quote Elena's book when talking to my principal, instructional data teams and supervisor, and I flip through it for encouragement for myself at times too! This is the best coaching book available! (And her website is incredible too!)

This book has served me well in providing guidance along the path towards sustainable school transformation. I choose to re-read “The Art of Coaching” during the transition between school assignments in an effort to engage my mind in a deep reflection process - relishing the road left behind and preparing for another exciting journey.