Dr. Nathan Lang-Raad: Keeping Coaching at the Core

Dr. Nathan D. Lang-Raad is an educator, speaker, and author. He is the Vice President of Strategy at Savvas Learning. Throughout his career, he has served as a teacher, elementary school administrator, high school administrator, and university adjunct professor. He was the Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, as well as education supervisor at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. He was also the Chief Education Officer at WeVideo. He serves as the US State Ambassador for the Climate Action Project, a collaboration between the United Nations, World Wildlife Fund, NASA, and the Jane Goodall Institute, and an advisor for TAG (Take Action Global).

 

Nathan is the author of Everyday Instructional Coaching, The New Art and Science of Teaching Mathematics co-authored with Dr. Robert Marzano, WeVideo Every Day, Mathematics Unit Planning in a PLC at Work, Instructional Coaching Connection, The Boundless Classroom (with James Witty), and The Teachers of Oz, co-authored with Herbie Raad.

 

Nathan received a bachelor of arts degree in general science-chemistry from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, a master of education degree in administration and supervision from the University of Houston-Victoria, and a doctorate of education degree in learning organizations and strategic change from David Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

He resides with his husband, Herbie Raad, in beautiful Maine.

 

To learn more about Nathan’s work, follow him on Twitter: @drlangraad

 

To book Nathan’s services for keynotes and workshops, contact him at drlangraad@gmail.com.

 

-Coaching is a partnership. A coach is a cheerleader and consummate listener who guides and helps to further teaching and instructional practices.

 

-Nathan first noticed the value of a coach’s role during his first year of teaching. 

The experience of trust, and non-evaluative support, helped guide him though that year, paving the way forward as he grew as an educator.

 

 

-To give meaningful feedback while staying non evaluative, there has to be a deep level of trust. The relationship has to be organic and build over time. The goals and purpose need to be clearly articulated. Establishing that coaches are working with you not in some sort of hierarchical position. 

 

-Building empathy comes from a  place of honesty and vulnerability. The coach needs to show they do not have all the answers. Every coach is still a learner, being honest about that can help with empathy building, in large ways. There is a power in numbers, and helping teachers to not feel like they are in it alone.

 

-Coaches can support effective team meetings by making sure they are extremely purposeful and well structured. Have meetings that have defined autonomy to accomplish agreed upon outcomes is key. There must be clear norms. Don’t meet unless there is a clear agenda and purpose for that time together.

 

-There is this idea of success that it is the teacher or coach who never stop working. They are go, go, go! That level of productivity cannot be sustained, nor should it be. Our well being should always be the priority, meaning taking care of ourselves at home. You have to feed your soul. Then you can come back and be more productive and creative when you return to work.

 

-”Be loyal to yourself” - Be yourself, and out of digging into yourself, you will grow and thrive in that process.

 

-Asking questions - “I have some ideas about that, but I want to hear your thoughts first.”

 

Connect with Nathan:

Social Media: @drlangraad

Email:drlangraad@gmail.com

Books: Instructional Coaching Connection

New Book out next spring: Never Stop Asking