Virtual Teacher Leadership &  Instructional Coaching Certification

Cohort II Begins August 11, 2026

Our Coaching Approach

 

Is Your School Ready to Build Internal Coaching Capacity?

Northshore Learning’s Instructional Coaching Certification for Teacher Leaders equips experienced educators with the tools, strategies, and confidence to lead instructional improvement and peer collaboration within their schools.

About the Facilitator:

Emily Bird is an instructional coach and consultant for Northshore Learning. She has been a teacher, administrator, and instructional coach in public and private schools in Mississippi, Georgia, and Minnesota. She loves nothing more than a cognitively busy, joyful classroom and is honored to partner with students, teachers, and schools in pursuit of those goals! Her expertise is in instructional coaching, adolescent literacy, and impactful structures for fostering adult learning and collaboration in schools. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her family and enjoys spending free time running and biking, growing flowers and vegetables in her small garden, and reading good books.

Program Foundations

Grounded in research-based coaching models and instructional leadership, the certification program integrates elements from:

  • Cognitive Coaching

  • Instruction-Centered Coaching

  • Frameworks for Effective Teaching

Program Includes:

  • (8) Monthly Live Virtual Sessions
    60-90 minutes interactive Zoom trainings with expert facilitators
  • (1) Private 1:1 Coaching Session
     with a Northshore Learning trainer
  • Asynchronous Support Assignments
     Reinforcement activities between sessions for deeper application
  • On-Demand Coaching Support
     Ongoing access to feedback and individualized guidance
  • Coaching Practicum (15+ Hours)
    Participants apply skills by coaching colleagues in their building and submitting 1–2 recorded videos of their coaching conversations

This Program is Designed for Educators Who:

  • Have at least 3 years of full-time teaching experience
  • Demonstrate leadership and a strong instructional knowledge
  • Are currently serving or aspiring to serve as instructional coaches, department/grade leads, or administrative leaders
  • Are committed to reflective practice and peer development

Time Commitment

  • Live Sessions & Coaching: ~16 hours
  • Asynchronous Learning: ~20–25 hours
  • Practicum & Debriefing: ~18 hours

Certification & Curriculum

  • Earn Instructional Coach certification from Northshore Learning, a trusted provider of educator professional development
  • Access our comprehensive, practitioner-focused coaching curriculum

Outcomes for Educators & Schools

What Participants Will Gain

  • Confidence and skills to lead coaching and drive instructional improvement
  • Practical tools to foster collaboration and a growth-oriented school culture
  • Strategies for classroom observation, data use, and reflective feedback
  • A supportive network of peers committed to instructional leadership

What Schools Will Gain

  • Increased internal capacity for instructional coaching and peer development
  • Empowered teacher leaders who drive continuous improvement from within
  • A culture of shared ownership, collaboration, and professional excellence
  • Long-term, sustainable structures for instructional growth and educator support

Additional Details

  • Maximum Cohort Size: 15 participants
  • CEUs: Participants will earn Continuing Education Units
  • Sessions will be held Tuesday afternoons/evenings in Central time
     
     

    Northshore Learning Discounted Price: $3,000 

     

    *Equivalent programs cost between $6,000 -$7,000

    *Title Funds may be used to cover program costs

TESTIMONIALS

Yudi Gallego, High School Assistant Principal, Colegio Granadino

This course has helped me understand the different strategies I can use as a leader to support my high school teaching team. The most useful aspect has been the guiding question framework for coaching conversations. It has helped me realize that when teachers feel understood and supported, they can improve their teaching practices and, in turn, enhance student learning. I would highly recommend this course, especially to educational leaders who want to empower teachers' skills and foster a better learning environment in their classrooms.

Bridget Cisneros, Instructional Coach, St. Theresa, Austin TX

I have been a teacher for 24 years and in leadership roles before; being an instructional coach was a new adventure for me. My school had a connection with Northshore Learning, and when I learned about the Instructional Coaching course, I was excited to sign up. I can truly say it is worth the money. I have learned so much about instructional coaching directly from Emily and from the cohort I am with each month. We share ideas and learn a lot from each other. The course provides the essential information you need to be an effective instructional coach. For example, they guide you through various ways to talk with your teachers in the follow-up meetings, as well as how to do the observations themselves. This course has helped me to feel more confident in this new role. 

John Groess, Math Teacher, Benilde St. Margaret School

"This course supported my growth in thoughtful listening skills and framing for progressions of mentorship. I enjoyed this course a lot and felt Emily did a great job helping me step in the right direction."

Tim Frye, Spanish Teacher, Benilde St. Margaret School

"This course brought me the framework, the basics, the essentials of instructional coaching. Above all, this course provided a framework for active listening strategies. This course was fantastic and Emily was a great teacher. I am thankful!"

Mary Seppala, Mathematics Department Chair, Benilde St. Margaret School

"Emily, I thought you did a wonderful job and your feedback was very helpful. It was clear that you took the time to really listen and give constructive feedback. Thank you!"

Tiffany Joseph, English Department Chair, Benilde St. Margaret School

"The focus on coaching conversations have helped me deliberate and thoughtful in my approach and I think more effective. I really enjoyed it! Very helpful and positive."

Alyssa Hugdahl, Learning Support Specialist, Benilde-St. Margaret School

"This course has supported my growth in instructional coaching skills by making me more confident in my ability to coach. This has also helped me as a teacher get more ideas and make my teaching better."

Katrina Garcia-Eveloff, Theology Teacher, Benilde St. Margaret School

"I have learned so much about coaching -- using questions and listening to make teaching visible. I also learned a lot about how to observe a classroom and capture data. I had no previous experience with that so that was very helpful."

Lauren Reuss, Science Teacher, Benilde St. Margaret School

"I was starting as a complete novice in coaching. I feel like I have gained a foundation in coaching that I can now build from."

Nancy Maistrovich, Reading Specialist, Benilde St. Margaret School

"It's given me a framework and the opportunity to actually practice! I have been formally coached in the past, and I think as a colleague, I've done some informal coaching/been coached, but it was great to learn specific methods and frameworks! This was great! I am grateful and thankful to have been part of it!"

Program Calender

Register Now!

Join us for this transformational coach training program!