Professional Development and Coaching for Teachers,
Expert-defined terms from the Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership in Special and Inclusive Education course at LearnUNI. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Action Research – a cyclical process where teachers identify a problem, i… #
Related terms: Data-driven practice, reflective inquiry. Example: A teacher modifies a reading strategy for students with dyslexia, monitors progress, and adjusts instruction. Challenge: Ensuring sufficient time for rigorous data collection within busy school schedules.
Adaptive Teaching – instructional methods that adjust content, process, o… #
Related terms: Differentiation, universal design for learning (UDL). Practical application: Using audio books for visual learners while providing tactile materials for kinesthetic learners. Challenge: Balancing curriculum breadth with individualized adjustments.
Adult Learning Theory – principles describing how adults acquire knowledg… #
Related terms: Andragogy, experiential learning. In coaching, mentors frame sessions around teachers’ immediate classroom challenges. Challenge: Resisting the tendency to revert to lecture‑style PD for seasoned educators.
Assessment for Learning (AfL) – formative practices that gather evidence… #
Related terms: Formative assessment, feedback loops. Example: Using exit tickets to gauge understanding of a math concept and adjusting the next lesson accordingly. Challenge: Teachers may misinterpret AfL as low‑stakes testing rather than a diagnostic tool.
Behavioural Intervention Plan (BIP) – a structured plan that outlines str… #
Related terms: Functional behaviour assessment (FBA), positive behaviour support. Practical use: A BIP includes visual schedules and reinforcement for a student with autism. Challenge: Ensuring consistency across all staff members and environments.
Blended Learning – a hybrid model combining face‑to‑face instruction with… #
Related terms: Flipped classroom, hybrid delivery. Example: Teachers use a video tutorial on inclusive classroom management for home study, then practice techniques in school. Challenge: Digital equity and maintaining engagement across modalities.
Coaching Cycle – a structured sequence of pre‑conference, observation, po… #
Related terms: Instructional coaching, mentorship loop. In practice, a coach observes a lesson, provides targeted feedback, and collaborates on an action plan. Challenge: Aligning the cycle with school timetables without overburdening teachers.
Collaborative Inquiry – a group of educators jointly investigating a prac… #
Related terms: Professional learning community (PLC), lesson study. Example: A team analyses student work samples to refine scaffolding techniques. Challenge: Sustaining collective focus amid competing responsibilities.
Competency‑Based PD – professional development aligned to defined compete… #
Related terms: Mastery learning, skill benchmarks. Practical application: Teachers complete modules on inclusive assessment until they demonstrate proficiency. Challenge: Developing reliable competency rubrics that capture nuanced teaching practice.
Constructivist Pedagogy – an approach where learners actively construct k… #
Related terms: Inquiry learning, problem‑based learning. In special education, teachers facilitate hands‑on activities that link new concepts to students’ lived experiences. Challenge: Providing sufficient scaffolding for learners with limited prior knowledge.
Contextualised Coaching – coaching that is tailored to the specific schoo… #
Related terms: Situated learning, culturally responsive coaching. Example: A coach integrates local community narratives when supporting literacy instruction for English language learners. Challenge: Avoiding one‑size‑fits‑all frameworks.
Curriculum Mapping – a visual representation of curriculum scope, sequenc… #
Related terms: Vertical alignment, curriculum audit. Teachers use maps to identify gaps in content that affect students with special needs. Challenge: Maintaining up‑to‑date maps as standards evolve.
Data Literacy – the ability to interpret, analyse, and apply quantitative… #
Related terms: Evidence‑based decision‑making, data dashboards. Example: A teacher reads progress monitoring graphs to adjust interventions for a student with ADHD. Challenge: Overcoming anxiety or misconceptions about statistical concepts.
Design Thinking – a problem‑solving framework that emphasizes empathy, id… #
Related terms: Creative pedagogy, innovation cycle. In coaching, teachers generate multiple strategies for inclusive classroom layout, prototype one, and evaluate impact. Challenge: Allocating time for iterative cycles within the academic calendar.
Differentiated Instruction – the purposeful planning of varied pathways t… #
Related terms: Tiered tasks, flexible grouping. Example: Offering choice boards that let students demonstrate mastery through writing, drawing, or oral presentation. Challenge: Ensuring depth of learning rather than superficial variety.
Distributed Leadership – a model where leadership responsibilities are sh… #
Related terms: Shared governance, teacher leadership. A senior teacher leads a cohort on inclusive assessment while a junior staff member coordinates technology integration. Challenge: Clarifying roles to avoid ambiguity or overload.
Evidence‑Based Practice (EBP) – instructional strategies supported by rig… #
Related terms: Best practice, research synthesis. Coaches guide teachers to adopt multi‑sensory phonics for dyslexic learners. Challenge: Translating research findings into practical classroom routines.
Formative Feedback – timely, specific information that helps learners imp… #
Related terms: Feed‑forward, corrective comments. A teacher uses a rubric to highlight strengths and next steps during a writing workshop. Challenge: Avoiding generic praise that does not guide further development.
Growth Mindset – the belief that abilities can be developed through effor… #
Related terms: Mindset theory, resilience. Coaches model growth‑oriented language when discussing challenges with teachers. Challenge: Confronting fixed‑mindset attitudes that may hinder risk‑taking.
Inclusive Pedagogy – teaching approaches that anticipate and respond to t… #
Related terms: Universal design for learning, equity teaching. Example: Embedding captioned video, tactile manipulatives, and collaborative discussion in a single lesson. Challenge: Balancing universal design with targeted accommodations.
Individualised Education Plan (IEP) – a legally binding document that out… #
Related terms: 504 Plan, personalised learning plan. Coaches support teachers in aligning daily instruction with IEP objectives. Challenge: Ensuring fidelity of implementation across settings.
Instructional Coaching – a supportive partnership where a coach helps tea… #
Related terms: Mentor coaching, peer coaching. A coach may co‑plan a lesson on sensory integration and debrief afterward. Challenge: Maintaining a non‑evaluative stance to foster trust.
Learning Analytics – the systematic analysis of learner data to predict o… #
Related terms: Predictive modeling, data dashboards. Teachers use analytics to identify early signs of disengagement among students with autism. Challenge: Protecting student privacy while leveraging insights.
Learning Styles – a contested concept suggesting individuals prefer certa… #
Related terms: Multimodal instruction, preference theory. While research questions its validity, coaches may still use varied modalities to engage diverse learners. Challenge: Avoiding oversimplification that neglects deeper cognitive processes.
Learning Targets – clear statements of what students should know or be ab… #
Related terms: Success criteria, learning intentions. Teachers display targets on the board and refer back during formative checks. Challenge: Ensuring targets are appropriately challenging for all learners, including those with special needs.
Lesson Study – a collaborative research cycle where teachers jointly plan… #
Related terms: Professional learning community, collaborative inquiry. A team focuses on an inclusive math problem‑solving lesson, gathers student work, and refines the approach. Challenge: Coordinating schedules for observation and debrief.
Metacognition – awareness and regulation of one’s own thinking processes #
Related terms: Self‑regulation, reflective practice. Teachers embed think‑aloud strategies to help students monitor comprehension. Challenge: Scaffolding metacognitive skills for learners with executive function deficits.
Micro‑Coaching – short, focused coaching sessions (often 15‑30 minutes) t… #
Related terms: Micro‑feedback, bite‑size coaching. Example: A coach observes a teacher’s use of visual timers and provides immediate feedback. Challenge: Ensuring depth despite limited time.
Multimodal Resources – instructional materials that engage multiple sense… #
Related terms: Multimodal learning, sensory integration. A teacher uses a podcast, infographic, and manipulatives to teach a science concept. Challenge: Aligning modalities with learning objectives without cognitive overload.
Needs Assessment – systematic gathering of information to determine gaps… #
Related terms: Gap analysis, stakeholder survey. Coaches conduct surveys to identify teachers’ confidence levels in applying assistive technology. Challenge: Translating assessment data into actionable PD plans.
Neurodiversity – the concept that neurological differences (e #
G., Autism, ADHD, dyslexia) are natural variations of human cognition. Related terms: Inclusive identity, strength‑based approach. Coaching conversations frame neurodiverse traits as assets rather than deficits. Challenge: Shifting entrenched deficit‑oriented narratives.
Observational Protocol – a structured tool for systematically recording t… #
Related terms: Rubric, fidelity checklist. Example: The “Inclusive Teaching Observation Tool” captures evidence of differentiated instruction. Challenge: Ensuring inter‑rater reliability among multiple coaches.
Outcome‑Based Education (OBE) – an approach that defines desired learning… #
Related terms: Competency‑based learning, results‑oriented planning. Teachers align IEP goals with broader outcome statements. Challenge: Balancing outcome specificity with flexibility for individual learners.
Peer Coaching – a reciprocal partnership where teachers support each othe… #
Related terms: Collegial mentoring, collaborative reflection. Two teachers swap classrooms to model inclusive strategies. Challenge: Managing power dynamics and ensuring constructive critique.
Personalised Learning – tailoring instruction, pace, and pathways to indi… #
Related terms: Individualized instruction, adaptive learning. A teacher provides a self‑paced digital module for a student who needs extra time. Challenge: Providing adequate support while maintaining curriculum coherence.
Planning Cycle – the iterative process of setting goals, designing instru… #
Related terms: Instructional design, action cycle. Coaches help teachers embed the planning cycle within unit development. Challenge: Resisting the temptation to skip evaluation phases due to time pressure.
Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) – a proactive framework that establishes… #
Related terms: Tiered support, functional behaviour assessment. Example: Schoolwide expectations are taught through modeling and reinforced with token economies. Challenge: Sustaining consistency across staff turnover.
Practitioner Research – inquiry conducted by teachers to improve their ow… #
Related terms: Action research, practitioner inquiry. A teacher investigates the impact of graphic organizers on comprehension for students with language impairments. Challenge: Balancing research rigor with classroom demands.
Professional Learning Community (PLC) – a collaborative group that meets… #
Related terms: Collaborative inquiry, school improvement team. PLCs may focus on inclusive assessment practices. Challenge: Maintaining momentum and clear focus over time.
Reflective Practice – the habit of critically examining one’s own teachin… #
Related terms: Self‑assessment, reflective journaling. Coaches prompt teachers to write “What worked? What didn’t? How will I adjust?” After each lesson. Challenge: Cultivating honest self‑scrutiny without defensive reactions.
Remote Coaching – coaching delivered through digital platforms (video con… #
Related terms: Virtual mentorship, online observation. Example: A coach reviews a recorded lesson and provides annotated feedback via a collaborative whiteboard. Challenge: Limited immediacy of non‑verbal cues.
Response to Intervention (RtI) – a multi‑tiered framework that provides e… #
Related terms: Multi‑tiered system of supports (MTSS), tiered intervention. Teachers deliver universal strategies (Tier 1), small‑group interventions (Tier 2), and individualized plans (Tier 3). Challenge: Ensuring fidelity across tiers and preventing “tunnel vision” on only high‑need students.
Scaffolded Instruction – temporary supports that enable learners to achie… #
Related terms: Zone of proximal development, graduated assistance. A teacher uses sentence starters, visual cues, and peer modelling to support a student with expressive language difficulties. Challenge: Withdrawing scaffolds at the appropriate moment to promote independence.
Self‑Regulated Learning (SRL) – learners’ ability to plan, monitor, and e… #
Related terms: Metacognition, autonomy support. Coaches help teachers embed goal‑setting sheets and reflection prompts for students with executive function challenges. Challenge: Providing sufficient structure without stifling autonomy.
Special Educational Needs (SEN) – a broad term encompassing a range of le… #
Related terms: Additional needs, inclusive provision. Teachers differentiate curriculum to meet SEN profiles. Challenge: Navigating complex statutory frameworks while maintaining pedagogical focus.
Stakeholder Engagement – the active involvement of families, community me… #
Related terms: Parent partnership, community liaison. Coaches model strategies for teachers to hold inclusive parent‑teacher conferences. Challenge: Aligning diverse expectations and communication styles.
Standardised Assessment – tests administered under uniform conditions to… #
Related terms: Norm‑referenced testing, benchmark assessment. Teachers interpret results to identify gaps for students with learning difficulties. Challenge: Ensuring accommodations are applied consistently to maintain validity.
Strengths‑Based Approach – focusing on learners’ abilities, interests, an… #
Related terms: Asset mapping, positive psychology. A coach assists a teacher in highlighting a student’s visual‑spatial strengths during a geometry lesson. Challenge: Avoiding “strengths‑only” narratives that ignore necessary supports.
Synchronous Coaching – real‑time coaching interactions, such as live clas… #
Related terms: Real‑time feedback, live observation. Example: A coach joins a lesson via video link and offers instant suggestions. Challenge: Coordinating schedules for simultaneous presence.
Teacher Agency – the capacity of educators to make informed decisions, in… #
Related terms: Empowerment, professional autonomy. Coaching models that ask “What would you try?” Reinforce agency. Challenge: Balancing guidance with autonomy in hierarchical school cultures.
Teacher Efficacy – teachers’ belief in their ability to affect student le… #
Related terms: Self‑efficacy, outcome expectancy. Coaches build efficacy by celebrating small wins and providing evidence of impact. Challenge: Counteracting low efficacy that may stem from repeated challenges with special needs learners.
Technology Integration – purposeful use of digital tools to enhance learn… #
Related terms: Assistive technology, blended learning. Teachers incorporate speech‑to‑text software for students with writing difficulties. Challenge: Ensuring technology aligns with pedagogical goals rather than being an add‑on.
Tiered Assessment – assessments designed at varying levels of difficulty… #
Related terms: Differentiated assessment, layered testing. A math test may include basic computational items (Tier 1) and complex problem‑solving items (Tier 3). Challenge: Creating valid items for each tier without over‑burdening test design.
Trauma‑Informed Practice – an approach that recognizes the impact of adve… #
Related terms: Supportive environment, resilience building. Coaches guide teachers to use calm down corners and predictable routines for students with trauma histories. Challenge: Distinguishing trauma responses from disability‑related behaviours.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – a framework that offers multiple me… #
Related terms: Inclusive pedagogy, flexible design. Teachers embed captioned videos, interactive simulations, and choice‑based assessments. Challenge: Systematically applying all three UDL principles without superficial compliance.
Vertical Alignment – ensuring continuity and progression of learning goal… #
Related terms: Curriculum mapping, longitudinal planning. Coaches help teachers map reading standards from Year 1 through Year 6, noting accommodations for students with dyslexia. Challenge: Coordinating across departments and schools.
Visionary Leadership – leadership that articulates a compelling future di… #
Related terms: Strategic leadership, transformational leadership. A principal champions a schoolwide inclusive vision, allocating resources for co‑teaching. Challenge: Translating vision into concrete policies and daily practice.
Whole‑School Inclusion – a systemic commitment to embedding inclusive val… #
Related terms: School culture, inclusive climate. Coaching programmes align with whole‑school inclusion plans, supporting staff at every level. Challenge: Shifting entrenched practices that marginalize students with special needs.
Yield‑Based Planning – designing instruction based on the expected learni… #
Related terms: Outcome‑focused design, backward planning. Teachers decide the desired student product (e.G., A multimedia presentation) before selecting activities. Challenge: Ensuring that yields are realistic for learners with varying abilities.
Zero‑Tolerance Policy – a strict approach that eliminates certain behavio… #
Related terms: Punitive discipline, exclusionary practice. In inclusive contexts, coaches advise against zero‑tolerance rules that may disproportionately affect students with disabilities. Challenge: Replacing punitive policies with restorative alternatives while maintaining safety.