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Gwinnett County Public Schools

Leader Coaching

Gwinnett County Public Schools is committed to increasing the efficacy and retention of its leaders through the QPLA Leader Coaching Program. Coaching is the "practice of providing deliberate support to a leader to help clarify and/or achieve personal and/or professional goals." Coaching support can have a powerful, long-term impact on building effective leadership practices that increase student performance and engagement. Novice principals and assistant principals are paired with a leader coach who provides support through individualized one-on-one coaching sessions, customized small group support meetings, and just-in-time training on essential leadership topics such as:

  • Leading with empathy and equity
  • Building a positive and productive school community and culture
  • Analyzing school data and performance outcomes to make informed decisions that lead to academic excellence
  • Effectively and efficiently managing school facilities and operations
  • Designing, implementing, and monitoring school initiatives to respond to the needs of teachers, students, and community

Principal and Assistant Principal Toolkits are provided to novice school leaders as a resource for just-in­ time execution of essential duties and responsibilities. As a result of coaching, novice school leaders are well equipped to:

  • Reflect on leadership behaviors that maximize impact in school communities
  • Develop the mindset and skills to create equitable learning environments that improve student learning
  • Build sustainable processes that lead to school improvement

The QPLA Leader Coaching Program uses the Blended Coaching model to support the development of novice school leaders. The Blended Coaching model helps to develop a leader's affect ( Ways of Being) and effect (Ways of Doing). Using this model, novice school leaders receive support and guidance in leading through reflective practice, observation, and analysis.

Novice school leaders receive coaching for two years from highly trained leader coaches who were successful principals and assistant principals in Gwinnett County Public Schools. Training/certification that leader coaches receive includes:

•  Blended Coaching
•  Coaching for Culturally Responsive Leadership
•  Fierce Conversations, Inc.
•  Gallup Strengths Coaching
•  People Skills