Practical Approaches for Effective Coaching and Mentoring (Southern California)
Oct 17, 2025 10:00AM—Apr 24, 2026 2:00PM
Location
Harvard-Westlake Upper School
Cost Early Bird Pricing for Members (available until Sept 25) $1,795 members; $1,520 group-rate 3+; $2,810 non-members
Categories Hybrid, Leadership, Ongoing Program
Practical Approaches for Effective Coaching and Mentoring
SESSION 1: October 17, 2025 | 10:00am - 2:00pm | Harvard-Westlake Upper School
SESSION 2: November 13, 2025 | 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Virtual
SESSION 3: February 19, 2026 | 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Virtual
SESSION 4: March 19, 2026 | 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Virtual
SESSION 5: April 24, 2026 | 10:00am - 2:00pm | Harvard-Westlake Upper School
ABOUT THIS HYBRID ONGOING PROGRAM
Are you in a coaching role and looking for a space to strengthen your practice, work through challenges, and feel genuinely supported? Those in coaching roles—whether novice or experienced—need thoughtful spaces to reflect, problem-solve, and grow. Yet the confidential nature of leadership/coaching can make it hard to find peers to talk to. This ongoing group offers a space for coaches and mentors to evolve their current skills and build community with coaching colleagues.
Seasoned coaches will facilitate as you add to your toolkit, refine strategies you can apply immediately, and will differentiate experiences for novice and experienced coaches. Each session will balance practical application with open, coach-to-coach dialogue, so you leave with a stronger sense of agency. This is a place for coaches to coach—and care for—each other.
LEARNING GOALS
Participants will:
- Strengthen their coaching practice by adding to their toolbox of strategies to use during coaching conversations
- Reflect on their coaching identity and approach in a supportive, confidential setting
- Engage in coach-to-coach dialogue to troubleshoot challenges and share insights
- Build lasting connections with a community of educators involved in coaching and mentoring
AUDIENCE
Division heads, department heads, directors of teaching and learning, instructional coaches, teacher-leaders, novice and experienced coaches, and anyone interested in mentoring and coaching.
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
Julia Grody has been teaching for nearly 40 years, with the last 30 at Harvard-Westlake School, where she launched and continues to grow a teacher coaching program. She believes coaching is the most effective way to enhance both teacher satisfaction and performance—a true win-win for schools. Over the years, Julia has led the 8th-grade English team, chaired the Middle School faculty academic committee, served on the Middle School leadership team, and taught after-school improv. She currently teaches 7th-grade English and serves as the MS scheduler, along with coaching. In her free time, Julia enjoys yoga, hiking, ceramics, and studying French, though rarely all at once.
Rebecca Russell brings two decades of classroom teaching, integrated curricular design, team facilitation, and a background in vocal performance to her work as an instructional and leadership coach. She currently serves as the Director of Teaching and Learning at Westside Neighborhood School. She has worked in both public and independent schools, and she started her career as an advertising account executive specializing in Broadway musicals. This diversity of experience grounds her coaching practice in empathy, perspective, and partnership, and centers her pedagogy in equity, belonging, authentic application, and joy. Rebecca holds a B.A. in drama from Tufts University and a Master of Arts in education from Pepperdine University.
HOST AND PARTNER SCHOOL
CATDC partners with member schools to host our in-person programs, providing educators the opportunity to learn with peers in diverse settings. We are thrilled to partner with Harvard-Westlake School on this ongoing program, welcoming the larger independent school community to meet on their campus throughout the school year.
Cancellation Policy
Life happens. We understand that there will be times when you cannot attend a workshop that you have registered and paid for. We strive to be as helpful and flexible as possible when things out of your control happen. Please visit our FAQ page for detailed information about our cancellation policy and answers to frequently asked questions about enrollment and membership.