5 Questions Every Instructional Coach Should Ask Their Princpial This Summer.

Jeff Bradbury is an author, podcaster, public speaker, creator of the TeacherCast Educational Network and father of the world famous #EduTriplets.

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The August sun streamed through the window, but for Sara, a second-year instructional coach, a cloud of uncertainty hung over her desk. The new school year was just weeks away, and her first official meeting with her principal was on the calendar. She knew this conversation was important—it was her chance to set the tone for the entire year. But as she stared at a blank notepad, the questions swirled: What should I even ask? How do I show the value I brought last year? How do I make sure we’re on the same page so I can actually make an impact this year?

This moment is one every instructional coach faces. That pre-year meeting with your administrator isn’t just a check-in; it’s the strategic launchpad for your entire coaching program. A well-planned conversation can transform your role from a supportive, but reactive, position to that of a proactive, indispensable leader in the building.

This guide will walk you through how to prepare for and execute that crucial summer meeting to set yourself up for a successful first 90 days and beyond.

Timing is Everything: When to Schedule Your Summer Meeting

Don’t wait for the chaos of the first week of school. The ideal time to meet with your principal is in late July or early August. This is a sweet spot where they have returned from their own summer break and are in deep planning mode for the upcoming year, but before the flood of back-to-school meetings begins.

Scheduling your meeting during this window shows initiative and ensures you have your principal’s focused, strategic attention. It allows you to embed your coaching goals directly into their school-wide vision before it’s set in stone.

The Art of the Question: What to Ask Your Administrator

Walking into this meeting with thoughtful, strategic questions is the single best way to demonstrate your value. This isn’t about getting a to-do list; it’s about aligning your work with their vision.

Here are some essential questions to have in your back pocket:

1. The Vision Question: “As you look at the school year ahead, what is the single most important goal you have for our students? How do you see my coaching work directly supporting that goal?”
2. The Success Question: “How will my success in this role be measured this year, both formally and informally? What does a ‘win’ look like from your perspective?”
3. The Introduction Question: “On the first day of school, what is the best way for us to introduce (or re-introduce) my role so that all staff members—new and veteran—understand how I can be a supportive partner for them?”
4. The Reluctance Question: “How should we, as a team, approach a situation where a teacher or department is hesitant to engage in coaching?”
5. The Communication Question: “What is the best way for us to communicate regularly so I can keep you updated on my progress and challenges?”
6. 🎉 Bonus Question: Is it posisble to survey the staff about their interestes and thoughts about this year? (View this blog post for more information on the topic)

Setting the Stage for Success: How to Prepare for Day One

Your summer meeting is the perfect time to co-create your introduction for the first all-staff meeting. Instead of a simple “This is our coach,” work with your principal to frame your role with purpose.

• Align with the School Improvement Plan (SIP): Ask your principal, “Can we explicitly connect my role to Goal #2 in the SIP during the opening day presentation?” This immediately positions you as a key player in the school’s most important work.
• Share a Success Story: Prepare a brief, anonymous “one-slide win” from the previous year to share. Showcasing a small success story is a powerful way to build credibility and excitement.

Show Your Work: Sharing Resources from Last Year

To support your plan for the upcoming year, come prepared with a concise summary of your impact from the previous year. You don’t need a massive report. Consider bringing:

• A “One-Sheet” Impact Summary: A single page with 3-4 key data points. This could include the number of coaching cycles completed, a powerful quote from a teacher you supported, or data from a successful classroom project.
• Your Professional Portfolio: Have a link to your digital portfolio ready to share, showcasing examples of PD sessions you’ve led or resources you’ve created.

A great tool to use for collecting instructional coaching data is my Instructional Coaches Data Dashboard and Command Center Notion template. Inside this template, you can keep track of teacher interactions, coaching cycles, and all of your professional development resources.

A United Front: Meeting with the Entire Leadership Team

While your primary relationship is with your principal, they are not the only leader in the building. It is crucial to ensure the entire administrative team, including assistant principals, is on the same page.

Ask your principal: “Would it be helpful to have a short, 15-minute follow-up meeting with you and the assistant principals together?”

This proactive step ensures that the vision for your coaching role is shared by the entire leadership team, which prevents confusion and ensures you have consistent support throughout the building.

Start Your Year with a Clear Roadmap

That summer meeting is your opportunity to turn uncertainty into a clear, actionable plan. By preparing thoughtful questions and aligning your goals with your school’s vision, you can step onto campus on day one feeling confident, prepared, and ready to make a real impact.

For educational leaders ready to move beyond a single meeting and design the district-wide systems that power K-12 learning, my book, “Impact Standards,” provides the complete blueprint. It’s the definitive guide for creating a culture of innovation and driving systemic change.

Looking for a complete, step-by-step guide to navigate your first three months? Download my free “First 90 Days” workbook, packed with the templates and checklists you need to thrive as an instructional coach.