1. Thou Shalt Build Trustworthy Relationships – As an instructional coach, your foundation is built on trust. Forge strong, confidential relationships with teachers so they feel supported and valued.

2. Thou Shalt Listen Actively – Make listening your superpower. Understand the needs, aspirations, and concerns of those you are coaching without immediately jumping to solutions.

3. Thou Shalt Offer Tailored Support – Recognize that each teacher is unique. Customize your coaching strategies to fit individual teacher needs and teaching styles rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.

4. Thou Shalt Empower Teachers – Empower educators to reflect on their practice and take ownership of their professional growth, rather than providing prescriptive solutions.

5. Thos Shalt Facilitate Rather Than Direct – Guide teachers to discover solutions through questions and facilitations instead of dictating what they should do.

6. Thou Shalt Stay Humble – Remember that your role is to support and encourage. Keep your ego in check, acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers.

7. Thou Shalt Continue Learning – Stay informed about the latest educational research, tools, and strategies. An effective coach is always a learner.

8. Thou Shalt Respect Teachers’ Time – Be mindful of teachers’ schedules when planning meetings or professional development sessions. Time is a precious resource in education.

9. Thou Shalt Remain Patient – Change doesn’t happen overnight. Be patient with teachers as they try new strategies and remember that small progress is still progress.

10. Thou Shalt Celebrate Successes – Always look for opportunities to celebrate improvements and victories, no matter how small they may seem; this encourages a positive culture of growth.