Instructional Coaching Intensive
November 11-13, 2026
This year's annual TfT coaching intensive will be at Chicago Christian Schools! We are excited to continue to provide training and support to our TfT schools around Instructional Coaching, and we are excited for our schools to experience the Chicago Christian community.
In many of our TfT schools, Instructional Coaching has become a vital support tool for the ongoing development and growth of teaching and learning in the TfT classroom. Our Deep Hope is to grow in confidence, competence, and commitment as instructional coaches that empower others to play their parts in God's Story.
The learning targets that will guide our time are:
- I can increase my competence by exploring resources and tools for instructional coaching.
- I can nurture my confidence by adapting, (re)designing, and rehearsing instructional coaching practices.
- I can grow in my commitment to lead as an instructional coach through the challenges and opportunities of school-wide change.
Over the course of this two-day intensive, we will offer four tracks for professional development:
level 100 description
Level 100 is intended for those who are new to instructional coaching in a TfT school and begins with an exploration of instructional coaching. Participants will unpack the needs of adult learners, the structure of a coaching conversation, and how to lead an ongoing coaching cycle. Participants will also be given the opportunity to practice these skills in a coaching conversation.
level 200 description
Level 200 builds on the concepts of Level 100, as participants explore the art of questioning and examine their own stories to identify strengths, challenges, and biases that could influence their coaching. Participants are given the opportunity to practice these skills in a coaching conversation with a teacher from the hosting school. Level 200 participants consider coaching at the institutional level through a session on developing learner agency and an introduction to learning walks. For those who have previously attended level 100.
level 300 description
Level 300 invites participants to share their current successes and challenges in coaching, explore practices that deepen the efficiency and effectiveness of their coaching practice, investigate how to leverage data for instructional coaching and explore ways to support the reluctant teacher. Participants are given the opportunity to practice their coaching skills by partnering with a Level 200 coach for a coaching conversation with a teacher from the hosting school. For those who have previously attended levels 100 and 200.
level 400 description
Level 400: Leading Through Conflict with Courage and Hope is designed for Heads of School, Principals, and Instructional/Curriculum Leads and invites participants to examine how conflict shapes the culture of their schools. In times of division and disagreement, leaders play a critical role in determining whether conflict leads to fragmentation or growth. This experience will equip participants to engage conflict in Christ-centered, constructive ways that strengthen relationships and deepen community. Drawing on the work of The Colossian Forum and its WayFinder program, participants will explore how personal formation and institutional culture interact in shaping a school’s response to conflict. Through a systems-informed lens, participants will examine their own patterns of reactivity, develop a more non-anxious presence, and learn to remain both connected and clearly defined when navigating tension. The experience will focus on helping leaders identify key leverage points for change within themselves and their schools.
Level 400 will be facilitated by Dr. Stacey Wieland. Stacey is Vice President of Learning and Evaluation at The Colossian Forum (TCF). The Colossian Forum’s WayFinder program equips leaders and staff to navigate conflict with wisdom and clarity. Through work as a trainer, coach, and facilitator, Stacey helps school communities engage tensions among colleagues, teams, and parents in ways that build trust, deepen discipleship, and strengthen relationships.
There is no requirement for Level 400 participants to attend Level 100 – 300 training, and the aim is to provide a space for Heads of Schools to join their Instructional Coaches at the annual Intensive. This will provide an opportunity of deep collaborative leadership for TfT schools.
This year we are offering two options for our pre-intensive day on Wednesday, November 11th. This day is optional.
Pre-Intensive Day: November 11
Pre-Intensive: Formative Assessment
At the heart of Teaching for Transformation is an invitation to pay close attention to learning as it unfolds. Formative assessment provides a way for teachers to listen well—gathering evidence, making meaning of it, and adjusting learning design in response. When used intentionally, these practices help create classrooms where feedback is ongoing, learning is visible, and both teachers and students are actively engaged in the journey of growth and transformation.
Join us on this Pre-Intensive day for an exploration of formative assessment. Together, we will investigate and begin implementing new tools designed to support responsive teaching and deepen insight into student learning. Participants will leave prepared to integrate these tools into their own contexts and to support colleagues in doing the same.
Pre-Intensive: Formative Assessment
Pre-Intensive, FLEx Immersion
We invite you to join us for a day of investigating, imagining and creating outdoor learning opportunities for students within an urban context. We will invite, nurture, and empower you, as the learner, into the rich design of FLEx through the lens of place-based experiential learning during this pre-intensive immersive experience.
By experiencing FLEx as a learner, you will be better equipped to teach, coach, and lead FLEx at your own school. It will be a day of field work, partnering with experts, and empowering ourselves to play our part in God's story.
Pre-intensive registration cost is $129 per person; morning refreshments and lunch will be provided.`
Location: Chicago Christian School (12001 S Oak Park Ave, Palos Heights, IL 60463)
Agenda:
- November 11th: Preintensive Day begins at 8:00 AM
- November 12th: Instructional Coaching Intensive Day #1: 8:00 AM- 4:00 PM
- November 13th: Instructional Coaching Intensive Day #2: 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Price: Cost is determined by the number of registrants per school: $399/first person, $299/second person, $249/person for third person and everyone after. To receive group pricing as a school, participants must be regsitered together. Price includes refreshments/lunch.
Registration deadline: October 9, 2026.
Accommodation options
EVEN Hotel & Tinley Park Convention Center
Address: 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park, IL 60477
Phone: 708-444-1100
Booking Link: TFT Coaching Intensive Conference
Booking Code: TFT
Cutoff date to book: October 20, 2026
Phone: 708-444-1100
Booking Link: TFT Coaching Intensive Conference
Booking Code: TFT
Cutoff date to book: October 20, 2026
Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn
Address: 9333 South Cicero Avenue, Oak Lawn, IL 60453-2517
Phone: 708-425-7800
Booking Link: TFT Coaching Intens
Booking Code: 501
Reservations Line: 1-800-315-1058, reference group code 501
Cutoff date to book: October 20, 2026.
Phone: 708-425-7800
Booking Link: TFT Coaching Intens
Booking Code: 501
Reservations Line: 1-800-315-1058, reference group code 501
Cutoff date to book: October 20, 2026.
Double Tree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip
Address: 5000 West 127th St, Alsip, IL 60803
Phone: 708-371-7300
Booking Link: Center for the Advancement of Christian Education
Booking Code: TFT
Cutoff date to book: October 12, 2026
Phone: 708-371-7300
Booking Link: Center for the Advancement of Christian Education
Booking Code: TFT
Cutoff date to book: October 12, 2026
