How to Use a Coaching Matrix to Focus Your Time as an Instructional Coach

Stop reacting and start coaching with purpose.

If you’ve ever ended your week wondering what you actually accomplished as an instructional coach, you’re not alone.

• Maybe you coached two teachers in depth…
• Jumped into three last-minute classroom emergencies…
• Sat through a PLC that went off the rails…
• And still feel like nothing really moved your campus forward.

This is the trap of reactive coaching — and it’s one I fell into early in my coaching journey.

What Is a Coaching Matrix?

A coaching matrix is a visual tool that helps you map out your teacher team based on two key dimensions:

• Instructional skill: Based on student achievement data and growth
• Willingness to be coached: Based on mindset, openness, and follow-through

You plot each teacher on a coordinate plane with these two variables, which creates four quadrants — a full coaching picture.

Why Use a Coaching Matrix?

Let’s face it — coaching doesn’t come with a playbook. You go from teaching bell-to-bell with bathroom breaks planned like military operations… to staring at a blank Google Calendar and wondering how to make the most of your time.

A coaching matrix gives you:

• ✅ A big-picture view of your teaching team
• ✅ A system to prioritize coaching time fairly and strategically
• ✅ A way to justify your coaching moves to admin
• ✅ A tool for planning, tracking, and reflecting throughout the year

How to Build Your Coaching Matrix

1. Gather teacher names + key data

Start with a spreadsheet or sticky notes. You’ll want:

• Assessment data (MAP, STAAR, iStation, etc.)
• Observation notes
• Coaching cycle documentation
• Trends in mindset or follow-through

2. Plot on a coordinate plane

X-axis: willingness to grow
Y-axis: student outcomes

3. Reflect on patterns

Ask:

• Who is growing but needs instructional support?
• Who is succeeding but avoiding change?
• Who is stuck?
• Who is ready to lead?

What Each Quadrant Tells You

Quadrant 1: High Skill, High Will

Celebrate, affirm, and involve these teachers in modeling and mentoring.

Quadrant 2: High Skill, Low Will

Coach lightly and respectfully. Focus on reigniting their purpose and autonomy.

Quadrant 3: Low Skill, Low Will

Requires admin alignment. Focus on compliance and document all steps.

Quadrant 4: Low Skill, High Will

Your coaching sweet spot. Invest deeply, model strategies, and build confidence.

How I Use This to Plan My Coaching Calendar

Once you’ve plotted teachers, it’s time to reflect on your calendar:

• How many coaching hours do I truly have?
• What percentage of time should go to each quadrant?
• What will I track or revisit over time?

Try It for Free

I’ve created a free Coaching Matrix Starter Kit that includes:

• ✔️ A blank printable matrix
• ✔️ A sample teacher profile
• ✔️ A quick-start guide

👉 Grab the free Coaching Matrix Starter Kit

Want the Full System?

The full Impact Matrix Workbook includes:

• Strategy pages for each quadrant
• Printable trackers
• Coaching celebration templates

Check out the $17 workbook here

Final Thoughts

Coaching is messy — but your calendar doesn’t have to be. This system helped me coach with confidence, not chaos. Hope it helps you too. 💛

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