Our mission as coaches is to collaborate with educators to enhance student outcomes through a partnership approach. In order to accomplish this mission, the Coaching Cohort professional learning program provides a developmental approach to supporting both novice and experienced coaches interested in building and refining their craft and coaching identity. This multi-year program consists of two types of learning experiences: coaching skill-focused workshops and coaching cohort meetings. The workshops focus on communication and coaching processes: Thinking Collaborative’s Cognitive Coaching, Thinking Collaborative’s Adaptive Schools, and Diane Sweeney’s Student Centered Coaching. (These workshops are described elsewhere in the professional learning catalog.)
The Coaching Cohort meetings are facilitated by coaches from TrueNorth with the goal of creating a professional network of coaches who share a common set of knowledge, skills, and processes across coaching “content.” Within these meetings, participants will have opportunities to practice new skills, reflect on current practices and plan for application within their own settings, while collaborating with other participants.
Outcomes: Over the course of the four-year program, participants will: - Create or refine their role and purpose as a coach, which can be shared with others in their school community
- Understand the student-centered coaching process and develop related skills that will improve student learning outcomes
- Strengthen communication skills in order to honor coachees’ goals, knowledge and skills
- Develop facilitation skills that will maximize team effectiveness
- Develop presentation skills that will enhance adult learning outcomes
Who Should Attend: The training content is meant for all pre-k through high school staff with the title of "coach," including novice and experienced coaches interested in reflecting on and honing their coaching craft. Coaches may have a general coaching focus or a specific content focus (e.g., SEL, instructional, technology). In addition, supervisors of coaches are also welcome to learn about and support the practice of coaching within their building/district.
Satisfactory completion requirements:
- Attendance is based on your signature in and out of the session. Failure to provide a signature in and out will result in no credit. Virtual attendance is taken via the Zoom Chat.
- Participants are expected to attend the entire session to earn credit.
- Participants are expected to attend both sessions in their entirety (Part 1 and Part 2) to earn credit.
- Participants are required to complete a pre and post test. Credit is given for completion of pre and post test, regardless of score.
- Participants must complete an electronic course evaluation within two weeks of the session date to be sent a certificate.
- Accommodations, questions and complaints can be directed to:
professionallearning@truenorth804.org
Cost Information: Participation fees are waived for TrueNorth employees, TrueNorth member district employees, and parents of students in our TrueNorth member districts. For individual participants who do not meet the above criteria, this course participation fee is $300.00. Participation
or material fees will be billed directly to the school district that employs the participant after the session is complete or the first session in a series is complete. Individuals are asked to not bring payment to the session.
Cancellation and Refund Information: There is no cancellation fee, though we ask for advance notice to open the spot for another person. TrueNorth reserves the right to cancel any session due to low enrollment. TrueNorth does not charge prior to the start of the offered session. If an individual attends the first day of a learning series but is unable to attend the remaining sessions, the school district that employs the participant is able to designate an alternate person. It is up to the individual no longer attending the program to give their replacement the information learned in the first session.
About the Presenters: Dr. Amy Cohan serves as a District Coach for the TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804. She has supported multiple school districts along the north shore for over twenty years as a School Psychologist/Intervention Specialist and District Coach. Dr. Cohan values collaborating with individuals, teams, and administrators in order to enhance student learning. She provides direct coaching services and facilitates professional development programs and workshops. Her primary areas of focus include: classroom management, positive behavior supports/interventions, and systems-level change. Dr. Cohan has presented work at local, state, and national conferences.
Jessica Boraca serves as a District Coach for the TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 on the north shore. Within this role, Jessica supports educators in inclusive practices for all, engagement strategies within content areas in both elementary and high school classrooms, differentiation of curriculum, and behavior support. Jessica works throughout multiple districts and supports educators, administrators, and school support staff. Jessica began her career as a special education teacher in Chicago Public Schools 11 years ago and has worked as a District Coach for the last 2 years. In addition to coaching, Jessica co-facilitates the Coaching Mentor Program and Designing and Evaluating Instruction for All Students Professional Learning Program that serves coaches and educators across TrueNorth and member districts.
Dr. Jill Bose-Deakins serves as a District Coach for the TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 on the north shore. With a training background in School Psychology, she has served in different roles as an Intervention Specialist and District Coach at TrueNorth for more than 15 years. She provides both direct coaching services and professional development trainings on the topics of classroom management, positive behavior supports and interventions for all students. As a coach within multiple school districts, she works with school administration, teachers, and support staff to enhance the learning of both educators and students. Dr. Bose-Deakins has presented work at local, state, and national conferences.
Jenny Knudson serves as a District Coach for the TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 on the north shore. With a training background in Speech-Language Pathology, she has served as a District Coach at TrueNorth for more than 15 years. She provides both direct coaching services and professional development training on the topics of coaching, social emotional learning (SEL) and equity. As a coach within multiple school districts, she works with school administration, teachers, and support staff to enhance the learning of both educators and students. Jenny has presented work at local, state, and national conferences.
Financial Disclosure: Cohan, Boraca, Bose-Deakins, and Knudson are employees of TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 and receive a salary.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Cohan, Boraca, Bose-Deakins, and Knudson have no relevant non-financial relationships.
05/26/2022 11:36:21
Coaching Cohort Program
*Member Districts include:
Northbrook 27, Northbrook 28, Sunset Ridge 29, Glenview/Northbrook 30, West Northfield 31, Glenview 34, Glencoe 35, Winnetka 36, Kenilworth 38, Lake Bluff 65, Lake Forest 67, Bannockburn 106, Deerfield 109, North Shore 112, Township HS 113, Lake Forest 115, New Trier 203, Glenbrook 225.
Have a question? Check out the Professional Learning FAQs or contact
professionallearning@truenorth804.org.
