Let Me in, Let Me in!: One Coach’s Efforts to Gain Access to Teachers’ Classrooms

Abstract

This case explores Coach Rosa’s efforts to gain access to teachers’ classrooms to support teaching and learning. As Rosa demonstrates, working to gain access is a complex coaching practice and coaches cannot assume that their classroom access at any school is universal. School leaders, including district administrators, principals, coaches, and teacher leaders, using this case will learn about the wide range of access-granting strategies Rosa strategically leveraged to support her classroom entry for coaching work. Furthermore, school leaders will have the opportunity to reflect upon their own classroom access for coaching work and consider which access-granting strategies may enhance their access.