Professional Development for Instruction Coaches
– The Instruction Coach Pathway
This pathway supports the development of expert instruction coaches who strengthen teaching practice, drive data-informed improvement, foster collegiality, and support whole-school instructional consistency. The Instruction Coach Pathway sits within the Mastery Teaching Pathway (MTP) and is designed for school leaders who coordinate teaching and learning improvement, provide technical instructional support, and guide teachers to deliver effective teaching with fidelity.
Develop Expert Coaches
Access specialised instruction coaching professional learning to build the skills required to observe practice, model effective instruction, provide feedback, and guide teachers through structured improvement cycles.
Drive Data-Informed Practice
Develop the capability to analyse classroom and school data to inform coaching priorities, evaluate impact, and support teachers to refine their practice based on evidence.
Strengthen School-Wide Practice
Implement an instruction coaching model that builds shared language, consistent routines and a culture of continuous improvement across the school.
Instruction Coach Learning Plan
When participants join the GGSA Membership Platform and select the Instruction Coach role, a personalised Instruction Coach Learning Plan is automatically generated.
The Learning Plan:
• tracks prerequisite, core and elective modules
• outlines coaching milestones and evidence requirements
• identifies required knowledge, skills and practices
• records certificates of completion and mastery evidence.
The plan ensures coaching practice develops progressively from foundational capability through to lead-level influence.
How the Pathway Works
Enrol and Create Your Learning Plan
Join the GGSA Membership Platform and access a personalised Instruction Coach Learning Plan that tracks modules, milestones, and assessments.
Complete Prerequisite Modules
Start with two prerequisite modules:
Learn Effective Teaching Essentials
Learn Cycles of School Practice
Complete Instruction Coaching Core Modules
Complete core modules focused on observation, modelling, feedback, and structured coaching cycles.
Apply Learning Through Coaching Practice
Apply learning by coaching teachers, observing classroom practice, and supporting the development of effective teaching techniques.
Evidence, Certification and RPL
Certificates of Completion are issued for each module and stored in your Evidence Portfolio for accreditation, CPD, and RPL purposes.
Extend with Electives (Optional)
Select elective modules to deepen coaching expertise, support specialised instructional priorities, or strengthen leadership capability.
What You Will Learn
Instruction coaching modules are designed to develop expert coaches who strengthen teaching practice and build instructional consistency across classrooms.
Instruction Coaching Techniques
Observing lessons, identifying priorities, modelling effective practice and providing feedback.
Coaching Cycles and Practice
Planning, delivering and refining coaching cycles that support teachers to achieve mastery.
Using Data to Inform Coaching
Analysing student and classroom data to guide coaching conversations and measure impact.
Building Collaborative Practice
Establishing trust, collegiality and shared accountability within teaching teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read through our FAQs to get answers to our most common queries.
Want to get in touch? Send our team an email at info@goodtogreatschools.org.au. We are happy to help.
What is an Instruction coach?
An instruction coach is a school-based specialist who supports teachers to improve instructional practice through observation, feedback, modelling and collaborative coaching.
What does an Instruction coach do?
Instruction coaches observe classroom practice, co-plan lessons, provide feedback, and facilitate professional learning cycles that strengthen teaching and improve student outcomes.
How do you become an Instruction coach?
Individuals typically require strong teaching experience and a deep understanding of evidence-based instruction. Completing the Mastery Coaching Fellow pathway provides structured training, practice and evidence to support this role.
What is Instruction coaching in education?
Instruction coaching is a form of job-embedded professional learning that provides sustained, non-evaluative support to teachers, focused on improving instruction and student learning.
How can I support multiple teachers effectively?
The Instruction Coach Learning Plan includes structured coaching cycles, tools and templates to prioritise support, track progress and evaluate collective impact.
What will I get out of this course?
You will develop advanced coaching expertise and practical tools to support professional learning, strengthen teaching practice and lead instructional improvement across your school.
What qualification will I get?
You earn certificates for every completed module, creating a digital Evidence Portfolio. This portfolio supports applications for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) with partner universities and may contribute credit towards postgraduate education or coaching qualifications, depending on provider assessment.
How will it increase my job prospects?
This pathway recognises your expertise in coaching and instructional leadership, positioning you for senior coaching roles, leadership positions and expanded influence within schools and education systems.
Who supports me during my coaching journey?
You receive ongoing support from the GGSA team, access to collegial professional learning, collaboration forums with other instruction coaches, and optional live consultations for targeted guidance.