Instructional coaching is most effective when support matches where teachers are in their learning—not when everyone receives the same feedback, tools, or expectations.
 
The Differentiated Coaching Toolkit provides instructional coaches and leaders with a clear, practical framework for aligning coaching support to teacher readiness across content areas and grade levels. Grounded in adult learning principles and coaching best practices, this toolkit helps move coaching from well-intentioned to well-aligned.
Designed for instructional coaches, technology coaches, teacher leaders, and administrators, this resource supports more targeted coaching conversations, clearer growth pathways for teachers, and stronger system-level coherence.
 
What’s Included
A content-neutral learning phases matrix (Acquisition, Fluency, Generalization/Adaptation) with observable indicators
Individual teacher scenario cards spanning grade levels and content areas to practice diagnosing readiness
Facilitator-ready discussion prompts for individual reflection, pair/share, or group learning
A fillable Differentiated Coaching Reflection Tool to identify immediate coaching shifts and longer-term system changes
Guidance for applying differentiated coaching at both the individual teacher and system levels
 
What This Toolkit Helps You Do
Identify teacher learning phases and select coaching moves that fit
Avoid common coaching misalignments that lead to overwhelm or stagnation
Apply differentiation principles (content, process, product) to adult learning
Make intentional “now vs. later” coaching decisions
Design coaching systems that are sustainable, coordinated, and scalable
 
Why It Works
Rather than adding more strategies or initiatives, this toolkit sharpens decision-making. It gives coaches and leaders a shared language for diagnosing readiness, selecting coaching approaches, and aligning support, making coaching more efficient and more impactful over time.
 
Whether you are coaching individual teachers, leading a coaching team, or designing district-level systems, this toolkit helps ensure that instructional change is supported thoughtfully and effectively.