Instruction Coach Pathway

Become a Partner School

Becoming a Partner School to get the most out of the Mastery Teaching Pathway. School Partners have free access to all resources and services on the GGSA Membership Platform. Signing your school up is free - forward this page on to your principal to become a partner school.

Pathway

Supports instruction coaches to build their expertise in coaching their school team in teaching practice, drive data-informed improvement, collegiality, and whole school improvement.

Focuses on guiding teaching teams to deliver effective teaching with fidelity through observing practice, modelling effective instruction, providing feedback, and guiding teachers through structured improvement cycles. The instructional model is direct and explicit instruction.

Mastery Coaching Fellow Course

For coaches who want to develop their ability to coach teaching teams using data analysis, informed priorities, and reviews that support teachers to refine their practice. Coaches develop leadership in whole school effective teaching, school improvement and positive high-expectations practices.

Course Modules

Unit 1 – Coaching Teaching

Learn Effective Teaching Essentials
Learn Cycles of School Practice
Build Positive High Expectations Communities
Deliver Positive High-Expectations Coaching
Deliver Effective Teaching Techniques Coaching
Deliver Cycles of School Practice Coaching
Deliver Continuous Improvement Coaching
Support Families in Positive High Expectations Schools

Unit 2 – Embedding Skills

Embed Effective Teaching Techniques Coaching
Embed Cycles of School Practice
Embed Continuous Improvement Coaching
Embed Positive High Expectations Coaching
Administer Placement Tests
Set Up Classrooms for Positive Behaviour

Unit 3 – Influencing and Leading

Influence Positive High Expectations Coaching
Lead Positive High Expectations Coaching
Embed Supporting Students with Low Executive Functioning
Demonstrate Mastery of Techniques and Practices
University Enrolment and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Delivery

Teaching assistants collaborating during a Mastery Teaching Support Foundation Course session

Participants must work in a primary, secondary or special school that is planning to, or is currently delivering, direct or explicit instruction.

Modules are self-paced and can be worked on at any time. Each lesson contains a check for understanding test about skills and knowledge being taught. There is also a test for understanding at the end of each module.

Some modules require participants to demonstrate specific techniques or practices they learnt and then perfected in practice. This is completed by a school supervisor or GGSA expert via video recording.

Courses take between 6–12 months to complete, depending on the participants experience and time commitment.

All modules align to the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) Australian Professional Standards for Principals and the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.

Gain a Qualification

Courses are a way to fast track into a qualification, improve your practice and get the most out of your learning.

Step 1. Become a Partner School

Your school signs up and every team member gets a personalised Learning Plan and can do a course that fast-tracks them into a qualification.

Step 2. Complete Your Course

Enroll in the course and complete modules, receive certification, and practice your new learning in school to master your role.

Step 3. Apply to University Partner

Enroll in your qualification and gain immediate RPL for completed modules and receive credits towards your qualification.

Learning Plan

When your school becomes a School Partner a Learning Plan is automatically generated for you. The plan is a roadmap of support for you as you transition from foundational capability to lead-level mastery.

What it covers

tracks core and elective modules
states required knowledge, skills and practices
sets development milestones and certification options
records evidence of completion and mastery

School Support Hub

The School Support Hub is accessed through the membership platform. Support is provided live online by GGSA experts. Members can book into any sessions that run throughout the year, including:

course information sessions
orientation sessions
school team sessions
school team leader/coach implementation webinars

School Support Hub team members in an online support session

Frequently Asked Questions

Read through our FAQs to get answers to our most common queries.
Want to get in touch? Send our team an email at info@goodtogreatschools.org.au. We are happy to help.

What is an instruction coach?

An instruction coach is a school-based specialist who supports teachers to improve instructional practice through observation, feedback, modelling and collaborative coaching.

What does an instruction coach do?

Instruction coaches observe classroom practice, co-plan lessons, provide feedback, and facilitate professional learning cycles that strengthen teaching and improve student outcomes.

How do you become an instruction coach?

Individuals typically require strong teaching experience and a deep understanding of evidence-based instruction. Completing the Mastery Coaching Fellow pathway provides structured training, practice and evidence to support this role.

How can I support multiple teachers effectively?

The Instruction Coach Learning Plan includes structured coaching cycles, tools and templates to prioritise support, track progress and evaluate collective impact.

Why is professional learning important?

High-quality professional learning strengthens one's practice, builds repertoire and improves student outcomes.

What is a professional learning plan?

A professional learning plan is customised for a specific role and shows the learning modules best undertaken to master that role with suggested achievement targets and timeframes.

Why is schoolwide professional learning so important?

school-wide professional learning is so important as it unifies the whole school community around a coherent school practice learning agenda. Colleagues share their learnings and collaborate on problem-solving which optimises school improvement.

How does professional learning impact student learning?

When educators refine their instructional techniques and apply learning with fidelity, students experience stronger engagement, accelerated progress and sustained academic growth.

How do I track my progress through the Mastery Teaching Pathway?

Your progress is tracked through your personalised Learning Plan, which outlines modules, milestones and certification.

Can I adjust my learning plan over time?

Learning Plans are updated to reflect role changes and to include new modules.

How do I gain certification?

Accreditation is achieved by completing GGSA modules and demonstrating mastery through evidence. You receive a certificate for every module completed.

What will I get out of the course?

You will have increased capability to master your role utilising your newfound knowledge, skills and practise. You will also have certification and accreditation that enhances your career opportunities and could increase your remuneration.

How do I gain the qualification?

Once you have completed the GGSA certification your Evidence Folio is passed on the institution delivering the qualification and they assess you for the full RPL. You then complete their other requirements of the qualification.

How does this increase my job prospects?

This pathway validates your expertise and demonstrates your capability which positions you for more experienced roles and ability to develop new expertise.

Who supports me during my pathway journey?

You receive ongoing support from the GGSA team, access to collegial professional learning, principal coaching and mentoring opportunities, and collaboration forums. Live consultations can be booked at any stage of the pathway for guidance and support.