Building Strong Teacher-Coach Relationships with Vernita Scarborough

Welcome back to Digital Learning Today. In this episode, Jeff Bradbury sits down with instructional coach Vernita Scarborough to unpack what effective coaching really looks like inside a busy school—and how coaches can build systems that support teachers without burning out.

You’ll hear Vernita’s journey from the classroom to coaching, a breakdown of her EPIC Framework for prioritizing the work that matters most, and practical strategies for building trust with teachers through relationship-driven coaching cycles. Vernita also shares a preview of what she’ll be presenting at the Simply Coaching Summit, along with simple, realistic moves educators and leaders can use to strengthen instruction and support well-being across the school year.

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This episode is just the beginning. To get the complete blueprint for designing and implementing high-impact systems in your district, get your copy of my book, "Impact Standards."

Strategic Vision for Digital Learning:Learn how to create a district-wide vision that aligns digital learning with your educational goals, transforming how standards-based instruction is designed and supported.Curriculum Design and Implementation:Discover practical strategies for integrating digital learning into existing curricula, creating vertical alignment of skills, and mapping digital learning across grade levels.Effective Instructional Coaching:Master the art of coaching people rather than technology, building relationships that drive success, and measuring impact through student engagement rather than just technology usage.

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Key Takeaways:

Prioritizing tasks is crucial for effective coaching.Video recordings help build trust and improve teaching practices.Scheduling regular meetings with administrators enhances support.Using data and reflection improves coaching outcomes.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Vernita Scarborough03:00 Day-to-Day Life of an Instructional Coach04:10 The EPIC Framework for Coaching07:21 The Role of Instructional Coaches in Education09:10 Building Rapport with Teachers11:38 Using Video in Coaching Cycles12:15 Support from Administration13:37 Data Collection and Analysis in Coaching15:34 Communication Strategies for Coaches16:55 Closing Out the School Year19:17 Literacy Lambs: Supporting Educators20:45 Planning for the Next School Year23:13 Quick Fire Questions with Vernita Scarborough

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Literacy Lambs FacebookVernita Scarborough on LinkedIn