Ms. Harold stared at her laptop screen, her finger hovering over the spacebar. Her heart was beating fast, like her 6th-grade students waiting to see a graded test returned. Ms. Harold taught the same lesson on area and perimeter three times that week, but this was the first time she’d watched herself do it.
Across the table, Principal Jackson gave a reassuring smile. “Just press play. We’re in this together.” The classroom on the screen came to life, 6th-grade students at their desks, Ms. Harold greeting them with that familiar warmth. Then came the checking for understanding. The open-ended questions. The awkward silence. She felt it in the pit of her stomach before the students even shifted in their seats.
“I thought they were getting it,’ she whispered. Principal Jackson paused the video for a few seconds. “You weren’t wrong. But there’s more to see.” They watched. As a team. Not to judge. Not to shame. But to discover.
That afternoon wasn’t just about recording – it was about transformation. Video didn’t expose her flaws; it revealed Ms. Harold’s power. Feedback didn’t feel like critique; it felt like collaboration.
It was the beginning of something neither of them had expected: growth sparked not by evaluation but by partnership and trust.
In this fast-paced world of K-12 education, time is precious and feedback is crucial. Collaborative video coaching offers a constructive, powerful, and flexible way to strengthen instruction while building trust between educators and school leaders, like Ms. Harold and Principal Jackson. Whether you’re high-tech district or using more analog tools, video coaching helps educators reflect, grow, and lead their learning.
Here are 5 steps to get educator buy-in:
- Start with Purpose – Clearly explain how video coaching supports growth, not evaluation.
- Lead by Example – If you are a school leader or instructional leader and have been a part of video coaching as an educator, share your own video first.
- Normalize Reflection – Frame this practice as a reflective, not “gotcha” CCTV footage.
- Celebrate Small Wins – You can never forget to highlight the glows and growth, not just the gaps, after each session.
- Offer Autonomy – Allow educators to choose what lesson they record and reflect on.
Implementation Strategies:
- Begin with a pilot group of brave and willing educators.
- Use pre- and post-conference structures to frame coaching around goals.
- Pair educators with peers for “video learning walkthroughs” where they share short clips and discuss strategies. If you currently have a Professional Learning Community, it may be best to start there.
Worried about whether to use a low-tech or high-tech option? Here are two examples to help you get started:
Low-Tech Example: An educator records a lesson using a school-issued tablet or smartphone, then reviews it privately with a coach using a printed reflection guide. Together, they discuss moments tied to student engagement, questioning, or classroom management.
High Tech Example: Using platforms like Teaching Channel’s Empower, educators can upload videos, add time-stamped comments, and receive peer or coach feedback asynchronously.
Trust is the game-changer. Just ask Principal Jackson—when coaching is framed as a tool with educators like Ms. Harold, not on them, everything shifts. When educators are given voice, choice, and protected time, the focus moves from judging examination to growth. What you build is more than a coaching cycle – you build a culture of confidence, reflection, and professional elevation. Educators refine their practice, students’ learning soars, and everyone feels empowered, not evaluated.
Video doesn’t just capture teaching—it has the power to transform it.
About the Author
Dr. Leah Nelson (she/her) is a dynamic School Administrator, Arts Integration Specialist, and Educational Consultant dedicated to transforming learning spaces for students and the educators who serve them. With an MBA and an Ed.D. in School Leadership, Dr. Nelson brings over 15 years of experience in education. Her expertise spans instructional coaching, family-school partnerships, arts integration, and leadership development. She is especially passionate about building school cultures where student identity is honored, families are true partners, and educators are empowered to lead with purpose and equity.
