Coaching Connect: Strategies, Support, and Shared Wisdom
Coaching Connect: Strategies, Support, and Shared Wisdom
SESSION 1: January 22, 2027 | 9:30am - 1:30pm | Harvard-Westlake Middle School
SESSION 2: February 24, 2027 | 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Virtual
SESSION 3: March 17, 2027 | 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Virtual
SESSION 4: April 23, 2027 | 9:30am - 1:30pm | Harvard-Westlake Middle School
ABOUT THIS HYBRID ONGOING PROGRAM
Are you looking for a space to strengthen your skills for coaching educators through challenges of all sorts? Would you like to empower teachers to take an active role in their own growth? Those in coaching roles need thoughtful spaces to reflect, problem-solve, practice, and even vent. 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 build conversational skills as well as community with colleagues.
Seasoned coaches will present strategies you can add to your toolkit and provide many low-stakes opportunities to practice those skills, with differentiated experiences for novice and experienced coaches. Each session will focus on and review specific strategies, then allot time for practice and reflection, so you leave with a stronger sense of agency. This is a place for coaches to sharpen their skills and care for each other.
Participants will:
- Strengthen their coaching conversations by adding to their toolbox of strategies. Practice coaching conversations in low-stakes ways.
- 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.