I spent my week providing leadership training for a group of secondary school leaders in Nebraska. During our time, we discussed those dreaded ‘time bandits’, those things that pull you away from the work you really want to (and need to) be doing to lead your school. As an administrator, you know that Coaching and developing your staff is one of the biggest keys to your school’s success. To help, here are three strategies you can lean into to make it a priority and potential benefits you’ll reap by doing so:

Schedule Dedicated Coaching Time: Many principals believe that their days are too packed to fit in coaching sessions. However, by blocking out specific times on your calendar each week for coaching, you can ensure it becomes a regular part of your routine. This dedicated time allows you to provide consistent support and guidance, helping your teachers grow and improve. If you don’t make this time, coaching often falls by the wayside, leading to missed opportunities for staff development.

**Benefit:** Regular coaching builds stronger teacher-student Relationships and enhances overall teaching quality.

Delegate Administrative Tasks: Principals often feel they need to handle every detail themselves, but delegating administrative tasks can free up valuable time for coaching. Assigning responsibilities such as report writing, scheduling, or minor disciplinary actions to assistant principals, a counselor, or your secretary allows you to focus on high-impact activities like staff development. Without delegation, principals can become bogged down in paperwork and miss out on crucial coaching opportunities. The work that only you can do should be the work you are doing.

**Benefit:** More time spent on coaching leads to a more motivated and effective teaching team.

Create a Culture of Continuous Improvement: Encourage a school culture where continuous improvement is valued and expected. Set aside time during staff meetings to discuss professional development goals and share coaching successes. When teachers see that Growth is a priority, they become more open to feedback and dedicated to their own development. Many believe that coaching is a luxury, but by embedding it into the school’s culture, it becomes a natural and essential part of your operations.

**Benefit:** A culture of continuous improvement fosters a collaborative environment where everyone is committed to excellence.

By implementing these strategies, you can prioritize coaching and staff development, leading to a stronger, more effective school community.

Have a #RoadToAwesome week

Darrin

Tune in this Sunday to “Leaning into Leadership” where my guest is elementary principal, blogger, and podcast host Sean Gaillard.

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Darrin Peppard Dr. Darrin Peppard

Dr. Darrin Peppard is an author, leadership coach, consultant, and speaker focused on organizational culture and climate, and growing emerging leaders. Darrin is the best-selling author of the book Road to Awesome, and is the host of the Leaning into Leadership podcast. As a ‘recovering high school principal’, Darrin shares strategies and lessons learned from 26 years in public education to help leaders gain clarity, find joy in their work, and walk in their purpose.