This course examines the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required to coach and mentor
adult learners in K–12 educational settings. Using Elena Aguilar's The Art of Coaching as the anchor text, candidates will explore the foundations of transformational coaching, including how to build trust, facilitate reflective conversations, use evidence to support teacher growth, and navigate the complexity of coaching across settings.

Candidates will practice core coaching moves — deep listening, powerful questioning, and
evidence-based feedback — and develop a coaching philosophy grounded in adult learning theory, equity, and a belief in the capacity of all educators to grow. This course is designed for classroom teachers, instructional coaches, mentor teachers, department chairs, and any educator in a formal or informal leadership role.

If you plan on matriculating into a graduate program at Fitchburg State University, please be aware that twelve semester hours of Fitchburg State University credit taken within a year prior to the student's admission may be applied to the degree program with the approval of the program chairperson.

Anything over 12 credits prior to matriculation will NOT be accepted towards the degree.
Students seeking Fitchburg State University course credit must register with the university by the deadline given to them by their instructor. Instructions on how to register online for university credit will be provided by the course instructor/provider. Students seeking graduate credit must have earned a bachelor's degree prior to registering for graduate credit.

Required Readings / Texts

• Aguilar, E. (2013). The art of coaching: Effective strategies for school transformation.
Jossey-Bass.

Supplemental Resources

• Knowles, M. S., Holton, E. F., & Swanson, R. A. (2015). The adult learner: The definitive
classic in adult education and human resource development (8th ed.). Routledge.
• Knight, J. (2011). Unmistakable impact: A partnership approach for dramatically
improving instruction. Corwin.
• Aguilar, E. (2016). The art of coaching teams: Building resilient communities that
transform schools. Jossey-Bass.
• Selected protocols from the School Reform Initiative (schoolreforminitiative.org)

Note: Texts should be current — within the past 5 years where possible. Please use APA format for all citations. Assistance with APA citations can be found at the Fitchburg Library Research Page.

Fitchburg State Universtiy - 3 Graduate Credits