When in this role, the coach walks a delicate balance between initiating a necessary change and planting a seed that allows others to perceive the need to change and to initiate the change on their own without the coach leading or owning the change.
- Joellen Killion and Cindy Harrison; Taking the Lead

The Role of the Catalyst for Change:

In this demanding role of a coach, the coach seeks to influence change for improvement by introducing new ideas, making observations, and questioning current practice. By examining how to be more effective, to move beyond the status quo, and to challenge mental models, coaches promote learning and continuous improvement throughout school.
- Joellen Killion and Cindy Harrison; Taking the Lead

Here are some ways that FCPS Instructional Coaches serve in this role:

• Asking questions, such as “What is/is not working? How do we know?”.
• Inviting teams and teachers to reflect on and examine practice to set goals.
• Supporting teachers in new instructional practices.