By Donna Spangler 06/11/25 Retrieved from https://www.smartbrief.com/original/5-ways-instructional-coaches-can-sharpen-their-craft-before-fall
Looking for a summer skill builder? Education veteran Donna Spangler offers 5 different ideas for instructional coaches.
(Tim Robberts)
As the school year winds down, many instructional coaches find themselves torn between the urge to unplug and the desire to prepare for an even stronger year ahead. Summer offers a unique opportunity — not to overload yourself but to invest intentionally in small actions that build significant momentum for the upcoming school year.
Whether you have a few quiet weeks or a packed summer calendar, sharpening your coaching skills can make a lasting impact when you return in the fall. Here are five simple, meaningful ways to use summer to recharge, refocus and reignite your coaching craft with flexible, bite-sized ideas.
1. Choose one transformational read for summer
Summer is the perfect time to immerse yourself in a powerful professional book. However, pick one book that stretches your thinking instead of overloading your nightstand. Whether you hope to grow your coaching skills, enhance your coaching conversations, or create a coaching culture, choose a title that aligns with your personal goals.
You may already have a coaching book you are waiting to read. Or, if you are looking for a new book this summer, explore these 20 Transformational Reads for Summer Skill Building, organized to meet you where you are in your coaching journey by category or organized by Coaching Challenges, Meet Your Match.
Set a goal to read, plan to implement and apply three key takeaways during the upcoming school year.
2. Practice coaching conversations
Want to boost your confidence and effectiveness as a communicator? Use the summer lull to rehearse. Identify one or two challenging coaching scenarios you faced this year and role-play them with a trusted colleague, mentor or even solo via video recording.
Focus specifically on:
- Your questioning strategies (Are they open-ended? Reflective?)
- Your listening presence (Do you paraphrase and actively listen?)
- Your tone and timing (Are you balancing empathy with clarity and solution-focused thinking?)
Record and review yourself to identify areas for growth. Here is a Summer Coaching Conversation Practice Guide to strengthen your coaching skills. Even 30 minutes of practice several times over the summer can improve your in-the-moment coaching conversations this fall.