Flashback to early 2020, March, specifically. Schools and education leaders needed to adapt at unprecedented speed, and at a level never before experienced by the sector. With many schools unable to find or afford help, The Learning Accelerator (TLA), a national nonprofit, quickly recognized the need for individualized support, secured funding, and launched the Always Ready for Learning (ARL) Coaching Network, a first of its kind collaborative effort among 11 education coaching organizations to provide K-12 leaders with pro-bono, customized guidance to help them improve teaching and learning during the pandemic.

We wanted to “remove barriers of cost and access to networks of expertise for schools to quickly get high-quality support,” said TLA Partner Nithi Thomas, who leads the coaching network. This accessibility continues to be the primary aim of the coaching network as they are seeking more schools and districts to support as we enter another challenging semester. This expanding initiative will add to the 1,515 schools they have already served, which has affected the lives of 939,988 students across 38 states.

The ARL network supports education leaders in building capacity for overcoming crises and challenges and creates authentic partnerships that help to identify clear next steps for leaders. This initiative serves a diverse cross-section of schools, ranging from charters, to districts— among these 51% identified as urban, 25% identified as rural and 24% suburban. The ARL team makes a concentrated effort to reach the traditionally underserved schools “in order to create and maintain change with equity in mind we have to provide access to resources, expertise, and networks”  said Thomas.

One of the most important elements of this initiative is the encouraged collaboration among the varied and talented coaches. Every week the network joins a “learning call” facilitated by TLA to share resources and continue to build their community together. This consistent calibration helps to make the work more up-to-date and personalized when the time comes.

Read the full article about coaches collaborate on districts at Getting Smart.