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
     
     

    Investment: $3,000 

    *per participant, this course may be eligible for Title funding

TESTIMONIALS

 Brigid Cisñeros, 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.

Yudi Gallego, Assistant Principal

Colegio Granadino, Colombia

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.

Register Now!

Join us for this transformational coach training program!