7 Mathematics Coaching Practices at the heart of the Proactive Coaching Framework.

1.Start with relationships        

Good coaching begins with trust. Instead of diving into suggestions, take time to understand the teacher’s world. For instance, if a teacher struggles with keeping students engaged during math lessons, start by asking what’s been working for them so far and acknowledging their effort.

2.Focus on strengths        

Rather than pointing out flaws, highlight what’s going well. If a teacher is great at building rapport with students, celebrate that. Then, connect it to areas they can improve, like using that same rapport to encourage group problem-solving.

3.Set clear goals together        

No one likes vague suggestions like “make your lessons more interactive.” Work with the teacher to set realistic goals, like “let’s add one hands-on activity for fractions this week and see how it goes.”

4.Show,don’t just tell        

Sometimes, the best way to help is to model a strategy. For example, if a teacher finds it tough to explain word problems, step into their class and demonstrate how breaking the problem into smaller chunks can work. Then, co-teach the next lesson to ease them into trying it themselves.

5.Let the data guide the story        

Numbers don’t lie, but they’re more than just stats. If students aren’t grasping percentages, look at their quiz results together. Instead of making it about what went wrong, explore patterns: “Most students did well on calculating percentages, but struggled with word problems. How could we approach those differently?”

6.Give meaningful feedback        

Instead of vague comments like “good job,” be specific. For example, after observing a lesson, say, “I loved how you used real-life examples for percentages—students were clearly engaged. Let’s build on that by adding a quick practice exercise right after.”

7.Encourage reflection        

Growth sticks better when teachers own it. After trying something new, ask open-ended questions like, “What felt different in this lesson compared to last week?” or “What do you think worked well with the new approach?”

Conclusion        

These practices don’t just support teachers—they inspire confidence, creativity, and growth, making math coaching a genuinely transformative experience.

Summary        

Math classrooms are where magic can happen—or where frustration takes over. Teachers face the impossible: making abstract concepts click for every student while managing endless challenges. It’s not about a lack of effort; it’s about needing the right support. Imagine a world where teachers feel inspired, confident, and equipped to transform their classrooms into spaces of discovery and success. That’s the power of proactive math coaching—it doesn’t just solve problems; it unlocks potential. The secret? A framework that builds trust, celebrates strengths, and ignites change—one meaningful conversation at a time.

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