For general education teachers, specialized training and consistent support in working with students with disabilities is no longer a niche skill—it’s a foundational requirement for effective teaching.  Despite this reality, there is currently no mandate for general education teachers to undergo professional development focused on diverse learners as part of their recertification requirements. Preparing these teachers with instructional skills benefits every student and teacher.

Instructional coaching is the single most effective lever for translating educational theory into actual, high-quality classroom practice. It's a collaborative partnership with no evaluation attached to it, and teachers can really appreciate that. For a teacher lacking traditional training, an instructional coach is their personal guide to more effective instruction.

Earlier this year, I supported Ms. Heather, a 4th grade teacher, in her Tier 1 instruction. When we sat down to discuss a possible goal for our coaching, everything pointed to greater supports for executive functioning. So many of her students struggled with organization and time management; Ms. Heather was concerned that their learning (and thinking) would be more surface level rather than complex and critical.