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Are you considering making the transition to becoming an instructional coach? Every teacher deserves to be coached, and so do soon-to-be coaches. While there are numerous resources to support you in preparing for an interview, here are my suggestions for questions to keep in mind, the kinds of questions you鈥檒l be asked.

First, though, you should ask yourself, is your mindset ready鈥攔eally ready? The idea of leaving the classroom can be stressful, exciting, and, for some, filled with guilt. Are you ready to step into that interview with confidence that you are the right person for the role?

Reflect on . Say goodbye to that negative self-talk. List out the numerous experiences you bring to this position as well as your skill set. Don鈥檛 compare yourself to others鈥攜ou鈥檙e unique, and you know in your gut that you鈥檙e ready, so believe in yourself. Now that your head is in the game, let鈥檚 move forward.

Questions You鈥檒l Be Asked in an Interview

1.听Why do you want to be an instructional coach?听What鈥檚 your 鈥渨hy鈥�? Your answer explains your knowledge of what an instructional coach does and does not do. Understanding what coaches do can help you better articulate your why. Coaches effectively improve teaching and learning, provide a deeper , build relationships based on trust to build capacity, and provide a tailored form of professional learning.

As a follow-up, you may be asked: 鈥淗ave you been coached before? Describe how this coaching relationship transformed your teaching and learning.鈥�

2.听What can you tell us about yourself?听The panel wants to get a better feel for who you are, in addition to your experience.听Are you a problem solver? Do you enjoy building relationships? Tell them. They want a better feel for your demeanor and how you interact with others. How might you handle various scenarios (which will be covered below), and what might it be like to have you on campus?

Although you might be nervous, it鈥檚 important to be confident when you鈥檙e talking about yourself. Instead of telling yourself to stay calm, try to get excited! Natalia Autenrieth 鈥攅xcitement and anxiety, on the physiological level, are the same emotion. Shift that nervous energy into excitement.

3.听How do your background and experiences align with an instructional coaching position? There鈥檚 a misconception that you have to be an expert in order to become a coach. That鈥檚 simply not true. Your skills, beliefs, and experience as a teacher are all informative. What are you already doing that aligns with the role of a coach? Maybe you鈥檙e serving as a lead teacher. Jim Knight, the godfather of all things related to instructional coaching, encourages the . Do you already infuse this approach when it comes to team teaching or working with colleagues?

4. What do you think an average day of an instructional coach looks like?听The best answer to this question is, 鈥淎verage?鈥� There鈥檚 no average day. Flexibility is key, yet it also equates to an alignment within the roles of a coach. Joellen Killion teaches us : data coach, resource provider, mentor, curriculum specialist, instructional specialist, classroom supporter, learning facilitator, school leader, catalyst for change, and learner. Familiarize yourself with them, as each day is likely to involve at least a few of them.

5. How might you build a foundation of trust in relationships with teachers? Trust is everything. It means that your coaching relationship maintains mutual confidentiality. It means showing up and being present and genuinely wanting to help teachers improve their teaching practice. Remember: To build and maintain strong relationships with teachers, go slow to go fast, listen for the request in the complaint, assume positive intentions, and employ effective listening.

6. How might you work with a teacher who doesn鈥檛听want to be coached?听Your answer shows how you approach coaching and handle negativity. The reality is that you will meet a few teachers and administrators who are negative about coaching. Do not feel you have to justify coaching defensively. Start with defining the mission, vision, and purpose of instructional coaching. How do you see yourself bringing that vision to life on a daily basis through the roles of a coach? Remember, coaching relationships take time to develop.

7. What coaching skills do you think you鈥檙e strong听in?听This is a question where you can showcase your strengths, which is also the approach you should take with your future coachees. Begin by sharing what you鈥檝e taught; specific content knowledge may help you stand out. Amy MacCrindle and Jacquie Duginske as essential to building relationships. They are the key to coaching to ultimately improve teaching and learning, and are centered around what鈥檚 best for students.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with as well as that support learning. You鈥檒l be building capacity among teachers, and that requires your ability to spot strong teacher leaders, sometimes in areas that you aren鈥檛 strong in. Continue to learn! Ask the panel how you will be supported to keep learning.

8. Can you explain your views on working with adult learners?听Malcolm Knowles distinguishes how working with is different from working with children. It鈥檚 important to articulate at least a few of these differences and how you might use this knowledge. Adults have a significant amount of life experience that can serve as an important resource. Adults also expect that new learning is immediately applicable to their daily work. Plan on ensuring practicality to your delivery. Adult learning theory reminds us that adults may have fixed viewpoints. Communicate that you are comfortable with that and seek to understand them.

9. Do you have any questions for us?听This is a moment when you can regroup if you might have stumbled in a previous question; clarify or add to points you made. Remember, you are interviewing your interviewers too! Make sure you feel like this is the right place for you. My number one walk-away question is 鈥淚f I were to be in this role, what is your top suggestion for me to be successful?鈥� Place yourself in the interviewer role. Listen. Reiterate how you are the right person for the job, and share your excitement about the next steps in the process.