The Coach’s Compass: Navigating Tiered Coaching in a PLC at Work® (Navigating instructional coaching toward true north)

The Coach’s Compass model, from authors Tesha Ferriby Thomas and Jennifer Parker, presents instructional coaching as a collaborative journey toward a shared destination. The unique MTSS-C framework adapts MTSS student intervention principles to support teachers through tiered coaching interactions. Founded on four quadrants—trust, goals, modeling, and resources—the Coach’s Compass provides a framework that fuels professional growth and drives continuous improvement. This guidebook equips K–12 instructional coaches and leaders to: Align coaching efforts with PLC priorities and instructional improvement goals Adapt coaching strategies based on readiness, context, and need Identify who to support using the MTSS-C framework to differentiate coaching for teams and individuals Define what to focus on through four coaching quadrants—trust, goals, modeling, and resources Determine how to shift from isolated interventions to purposeful, tiered interactions Contents: Introduction: The Importance of Coaching in Education Chapter 1: PLC Approach to Coaching Chapter 2: The Coach’s Compass Chapter 3: Quadrant 1—Trust and Relationships Chapter 4: Quadrant 1 Scenarios and Debriefing Chapter 5: Quadrant 2—Goals and Outcomes Chapter 6: Quadrant 2 Scenarios and Debriefing Chapter 7: Quadrant 3—Teaching and Modeling Chapter 8: Quadrant 3 Scenarios and Debriefing Chapter 9: Quadrant 4—Support and Resources Chapter 10: Quadrant 4 Scenarios and Debriefing Chapter 11: Navigating the Tiers and Quadrants With the Coaching Log Epilogue Appendix A: Coaching Interactions Log Appendix B: Personal Interest Survey Appendix C: Free Personality Assessments Appendix D: Protocols for Creating Norms and Collective Commitments Appendix E: Conflict Resolution Tool Kit Appendix F: Chalk Talk Appendix G: Structured Dialogue Protocols for Teacher Teams Appendix H: Accountable Talk Frames Appendix I: Celebrate Small Wins Tool Kit Appendix J: Ladder of Inference Appendix K: Courageous Conversations Compass Appendix L: Protocols for Constructive Conflict Appendix M: SCARF Protocol Appendix N: Reciprocal Peer Observation Walkthrough Protocol Appendix O: SMART Goal Template Appendix P: Root-Cause Analysis Protocols Appendix Q: Data Analysis Protocols Appendix R: Last Word Protocol Appendix S: Retrieval Practice Planning Guide Appendix T: Graphic Organizer Planning Template Appendix U: Learning Labs Appendix V: Instructional Rounds Appendix W: Stop and Jot Protocol Appendix X: Four Hats Protocol Appendix Y: Shifting Mindset From Fixed to Growth Appendix Z: Coach Goal-Setting Worksheet—Coach, Team, Teacher, Standards, Students References and Resources Index