If you prefer to listen to my conversation with Regie Routman instead of watching it, here it is. We explored this question related to my new book, Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H., available through Corwin now (30% off through March).
What people are saying about Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H.
Matt Renwick is the principal we all wish we had and the one we all want to be. His ideas about walking alongside teachers to grow them in the same ways we want them to grow students are just-right advice. He brings the research on trust and collective efficacy to life through concrete ways to operationalize rituals and routines of observation, goal setting, and planning with teachers.
Samantha Bennett
Learning Design Specialist, Instructional Coach and Education Consultant
Matt Renwick makes a compelling case for deeper inquiry and more thoughtful engagement around teacher practice. Full of rich, compelling examples from Matt’s real-world experience, this book will help readers reconnect with their purpose as instructional leaders. Highly recommended.
Justin Baeder
Director of The Principal Center, Author of Now We’re Talking!
Matt Renwick offers readers a rich, practical how-to book supported by current research. This book should be within easy arm’s reach of school administrators wishing to increase their skills of performing their major responsibility: increasing student learning.”
Arthur L. Costa and Robert J. Garmston
Professors Emeriti, California State University, Sacramento, Co-Authors of Cognitive Coaching
Matt Renwick reminds us of a key element of our shared professional leadership work: we can’t do it alone. He keeps us focused on the value of coaching tools and the pillars he references to keep instruction at the center of the work of educational leaders. This book draws on an extensive research base as well as Matt Renwick’s own professional experience to provide an accessible entry point for school leaders as they consider what it means to lead like a coach.
Jason Drysdale
Assistant Superintendent, River East Transcona Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Research is clear: Principals can have a tremendous impact on student success by focusing on job #1: ensuring every student benefits from great teaching in every classroom. Drawing upon his vast experience as a successful leader, Matt Renwick provides compelling insights, practical tools, and real-life examples for how to effect real change in schools. Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H. is a must-read playbook for any principal seeking to improve student outcomes—not by forcing change from outside in, but rather by unleashing it from the inside out through trust, compassion, optimism, and an unrelenting focus on excellence.
Bryan Goodwin
President & CEO, McREL International, Author of Building a Curious School
Renwick unpacks conversations by describing what he said in a coaching situation and then sharing his reasoning for why he chose the actions he took. This book is not just for people who are in the positional role of leader; it is for anyone who wants to develop their leadership capabilities.
Bena Kallick
Co-Director, Institute for Habits of Mind, Co-author of Students at the Center
This is exactly the book educators need to build trust while navigating the tensions in today’s school systems. Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H. will provide you with strategies that humanize leadership and bring joy to the work. This is an excellent book to read with your school teams to build the leadership pipeline essential to sustaining organizational excellence and a positive culture.
Anthony Kim
Founder and CEO, Education Elements, Co-author of The NEW School Rules
An inspirational guide for school leaders, this text provokes discussion and reflection among leaders who see themselves as as co-leaders in school communities. School vision becomes a reality when school leaders coach school faculties in a collaborative and collegial way in order to create a comprehensive and cohesive learning environment for students. An excellent book that is accessible to all principals.
Allyson Matczuk
Early Literacy Consultant and Reading Recovery Trainer at Manitoba, Education and Training
Leading Like a C.O.A.C.H. provides a framework that engenders trust and fortifies commitment to instructional excellence. Matt Renwick helps readers envision and rethink roles and routines. Most of all, his strategies, stories, and practical approach take the burden of trying to be an 'exert of everything' off of principals' shoulders. If you want your school to be a place where teachers and students want to be, this book is for you!
Cris Tovani
English teacher, literacy consultant, Author of Why Do I Have to Read This?
Can a principal also be a coach? A conversation with Regie Routman