BetterLesson partners with K-12 district leaders that seek to empower every educator to support the diverse needs of their students through research-backed pedagogy. Our strategically aligned and differentiated professional learning programs turn district goals into student achievement. We combine innovative technologies and immersive adult learning experiences, delivered throughout the school year, to enable educators to establish sustainable change-in-practice. Our programs offer districts both guiding structure and personalized attention to support educators at every level.

Our mission is to ensure that educators and administrators have the tools to support every student through a deep understanding of their needs, behaviors, and backgrounds and build a connection to the content and curricula in the classroom. This is the goal of every member of the BetterLesson team, to support every educator with actionable, timely, and relevant strategies, and to build student-centered teaching skills that ultimately support every student to find their greatness.

BetterLesson virtual coaching is 1:1 professional development that is tailored to meet each teacher's specific needs. You will engage in 1:1 coaching for 30-minute virtual meetings every two weeks, at times that are convenient for them. During these meetings, you will share your teaching and learning goals with a qualified coach and discuss high-quality strategies.

Your administrator has selected a broad focus area in which coaching will be centered on (see full list with descriptions here). From there, you will target an outcome tied to that focus area with your coach to spend your sessions on. It is possible to work on more than one outcome for the duration of your coaching experience. 

Virtual coaching for professional development involves regular coaching sessions conducted remotely through Zoom. You and your coach will engage in discussions, goal setting, action planning, and feedback sessions. The coach provides guidance, challenges assumptions, and supports the individual's growth and development.

Steps in your BetterLesson Coaching Journey:

• Now
  Complete Your Registration: You will receive an email inviting you to register. Please complete this as soon as you can to start your journey.
• In about 1 week
  Get Matched with your BL Coach: Based on your registration, you’ll be matched with your BetterLesson coach. Keep an eye out for an introductory email to schedule your first meeting.
• First Meeting
  Meet Your Coach and Get Started: In your first meeting you'll dive into coaching and get specific on your goals. Note - if you need to cancel a meeting, please do so at least 24 hours ahead. 
• Ongoing
  Try-Measure-Learn: Schedule a 30-minute Zoom coaching session that repeats every 2 weeks to provide the right balance of maintaining momentum with time to try new strategies in between meetings. Note - if you need to cancel a meeting, please do so at least 24 hours ahead. 
  
  

Virtual coaching for professional development offers several benefits, including flexibility in scheduling coaching sessions, access to a broader range of coaching expertise, convenience of remote sessions, and personalized support tailored to your needs.

The duration of virtual coaching for professional development varies depending on what type of coaching has been purchased. Coaching engagements can range from several months to the entire school year, with regular sessions scheduled according to the individual's needs and availability. The recommended cadence for coaching is biweekly (every other week). 

The coach's qualifications, experience, and specialization are the main factors in ensuring a good match. BetterLesson has an arsenal of hundreds of coaches from around the country specialized in specific areas of coaching. Coaches have an average of 9+ years of experience as teachers, instructional leaders, or principals. They embody the BetterLesson values of failing forward, self reflection, and taking a learner stance. If you are not satisfied with your match, you should reach out to your school/district administrator and request a coach switch. 

To make the most of virtual coaching for professional development, it's important to be committed and engaged in the coaching process. Set clear goals and communicate them to your coach, actively participate in coaching sessions, be open to feedback and new perspectives, and apply the strategies and insights discussed during the coaching sessions in your professional life. Regular reflection, practice, and follow-up on action plans are also essential for progress.

Confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of coaching, and BetterLesson cares deeply about maintaining psychological safety. Virtual coaches use secure platforms and communication channels to protect learner information. BetterLesson coaching is non-evaluative and is not punitive. The goal is to create a safe space to connect with a coach to have productive and meaningful conversations around improving teacher practice.

Data that is shared with your district/school administrator:

• Number of meetings completed
• Date of last meeting and next scheduled meeting (if applicable)
• Engagement Status: Active, Inactive, Done or Dropped
• Highlights: Entries on the participant workspace that you choose to show to your administrator that you select during your meetings with your coach. Entries can consist of meeting notes, meeting clips, reflections and/or self assessments.
• Outcomes: Topics that you are working on during your sessions that are selected during your meetings with your coach.

Data that is not shared with your district/school administrator:

• Entries on your workspace that are not highlighted
• Meeting recordings