Summer hits differently when you’re a coach.
While the pace of campus life slows and classrooms go quiet, coaches lean into a different kind of rhythm, one built around reflection, strategy, and growth. For many of us, summer is the one time of year we can step out of the daily push and really ask ourselves: Where have we been and where are we going?
Each of the following anchors represents the work we do behind the scenes, work that strengthens our impact and sets the foundation for the year ahead.
We Reflect and Analyze Data
Summer gives us the space to dig deep. We review campus trends, revisit coaching logs, and think about the stories behind the numbers. Coaches are natural data thinkers and people watchers, always noticing patterns and progress. Summer gives us the rare gift of time to pause and ask:
- Where did we make the biggest impact this year?
- Which teachers grew the most and how?
- What systems supported real change, and which ones need rethinking?
This kind of reflective practice isn’t just a good habit, it’s essential. Our ability to grow schools is tied directly to our willingness to learn from every cycle, every conversation, and every result.
We Design for Impact
Great coaching doesn’t happen by accident, it’s intentional and planned. It’s aligned to something bigger. During the summer, we lay such groundwork:
- We build yearlong coaching plans that align to campus priorities
- We create professional development sessions and tools for adult learning
- We map out coaching cycles with purpose supporting both new and returning teachers
From modeling lessons to building out toolkits, coaches use this time to design systems that are practical, sustainable, and high-leverage.
We Train and Grow
We don’t just coach others, we develop ourselves. Summer is when we engage in deep professional learning, whether it’s through:
- Leadership institutes or content-specific trainings
- Collaborating with other coaches across districts
- Diving into the latest research on teaching and learning
Every great coach is both a learner and a leader. Summer gives us the opportunity to study, reflect, and return to the work sharper than before.
We Partner with Leaders
Before the first bell rings, we’re already in planning mode with school(s). We listen, align and co-create. Coaches sit shoulder to shoulder with school leaders to:
- Clarify campus goals and priorities
- Align on instructional vision
- Plan how coaching will support teacher growth from day one
This pre-season work sets the stage for a strong year. We don’t just show up in August, we show up ready.
We Recharge with Purpose
Coaching is human work. It requires clarity, compassion, and courage. That’s why we also prioritize rest, reflection, and reconnection. Summer gives us space to reset, not just for ourselves, but for the teachers, leaders, and students who count on us to bring our best.
Final Thoughts: So what do coaches do in the summer?
Prepare. Plan. Grow. Rest.
Summer isn’t a break from the work, it’s a different kind of work. One that’s strategic, thoughtful, and foundational. The campuses we serve count on us to be ready, and that readiness is built during these quiet, powerful weeks.
Suggested Reading
Bunting, Michael. The mindful leader: 7 practices for transforming your leadership, your organisation and your life. John Wiley & Sons, 2016.
Covey, Stephen R. “habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change.” New York: Fireside (7).
Compass Teaching & Learning 