Effective coaches are flexible in their approach and responsive to the needs of the educators they support. Rather than operating from a single stance, coaches often shift between three primary roles: Coach, Consultant/Mentor, and Collaborator. Each role serves a distinct purpose and is grounded in the context, goals, and readiness of the educator.

The table below outlines the key characteristics of each role to help coaches reflect on their stance and intentionally select the one that best supports teacher growth. Understanding these roles empowers coaches to build stronger partnerships, foster trust, and maximize their impact.

Characteristic	Coach	Consultant / Mentor	Collaborator
Primary Purpose	Improve practice through reflection, goal-setting, and data-driven support	Share expertise, provide guidance, and model based on experience	Partner in thinking, co-create ideas, and problem-solve together
Stance	Facilitative, asks questions to lead thinking	Advisory, offers suggestions or models based on expertise	Brainstorms, plans, and reflects side-by-side
Expertise	Skilled in coaching models and reflective practices	Content or experience-based expertise	Knowledgeable and open to co-learning and mutual inquiry
Focus	Specific, measurable goals tied to instructional practice	Situational support or professional growth based on context or role	Joint ownership of an idea, problem, or solution
Feedback	Reflective and data-informed	Informative, advisory	Shared feedback; mutual input and refinement
Approach	Balanced Coach facilitates but empowers	Slightly asymmetrical Mentor may guide more based on experience	Equal footing Collaborative contribution and shared decision-making
When to Use	Teacher reflection, focus, and self-directed growth	When the teacher requests ideas, models, or guidance based on your experience	When co-creating resources, tackling shared challenges, or innovating together