What is the Educator Skill/Will Matrix?

The Educator Skill/Will Matrix is a free tool from BetterLesson that helps district leaders categorize educators across four profiles—Instructional Anchors, Reflective Practitioners, Engaged Learners, and Emerging Educators—based on instructional capacity and motivation. Leaders use it to guide coaching, PD, staffing, and recruiting decisions.

How do district leaders identify the right professional learning support for each teacher?

Effective professional learning starts with knowing where each educator stands in both skill and will. The Educator Skill/Will Matrix gives leaders a clear, consistent process to assess instructional capacity and motivation, then align targeted coaching and PD to each educator's specific needs—so resources go where they'll have the most impact.

How can the Skill/Will Matrix help with teacher recruitment and retention?

By mapping your current staff across the matrix, district leaders can identify gaps in instructional capacity and adjust recruiting strategy accordingly. The matrix includes specific hiring priorities for each profile pattern—so districts can build the team they need while reducing turnover risk. 96% of teachers report improved morale after working with a BetterLesson coach.

Educator Skill/Will Matrix | Free Tool for K–12 Leaders

Name: Educator Skill/Will Matrix
Creator: BetterLesson
Published: 2026-01

Free Tool for K–12 Leaders

K-12 Staffing & Support Matrix

Quickly identify instructional strengths and gaps—so every dollar spent on professional learning reduces risk instead of adding it.

Staffing is strained. Expectations are rising along with educator burnout and principal overload. High-impact, efficient professional learning supports are more important than ever.

This practical tool gives your leadership team a clear, consistent process to assess where every educator stands—and what targeted support will actually move the needle.

What's insideWhat you'll find in the matrix

The Educator Skill/Will Matrix organizes educators into four categories based on instructional capacity and motivation to change—then gives leaders the specific actions, coaching questions, and professional learning supports aligned to each.

→ Who are your Instructional Anchors—and how can they multiply their impact?

→ What does your Reflective Practitioner need to move from solid to aligned?

→ How do you build skill and confidence in Emerging Educators without burning out your team?

→ Where should coaching and PD investment go to get the fastest, highest-yield results?

The matrix also connects directly to district recruiting strategy—so your hiring decisions reinforce the capacity your school system needs most.

Get the Matrix

Free Tool for K–12 Leaders

K-12 Staffing & Support Matrix

Quickly identify instructional strengths and gaps—so every dollar spent on professional learning reduces risk instead of adding it.

Free Download Get the 2026 Matrix

BetterLesson has strengthened teaching and learning for 86,000+ educators and 4M students in districts nationwide, including:

What's insideWhat you'll find in the matrix

→ Who are your Instructional Anchors—and how can they multiply their impact?

→ What does your Reflective Practitioner need to move from solid to aligned?

→ How do you build skill and confidence in Emerging Educators without burning out your team?

→ Where should coaching and PD investment go to get the fastest, highest-yield results?

Here to help More Resources from BetterLesson

2026 Guide for K-12 Leaders

10 Levers for District Sustainability

Case Study: Round Rock ISD (TX)

Ready to build a stronger, more targeted professional learning program?