Discover a community where coaches of all backgrounds come together to enhance their skills and foster transformative educational practices. The VCC program is committed to developing leaders in coaching, offering a comprehensive pathway to certification that enriches both personal and professional growth. Join us and be part of a movement that is shaping the future of education across the Commonwealth.
Program Overview
By completing the VSTE Coach Certification, coaches will refine their coaching skillset and understanding of their role to positively impact student learning in their schools and districts. Coaches will participate in a cycle of live or recorded webinars and virtual cohort meet-ups to engage in collaborative and reflective learning over the course of five months. The VSTE Coach Certification will culminate with a coaching portfolio in which the coach demonstrates evidence of exercising each ISTE coaching standard in their coaching program throughout the cohort’s duration.
The content included in the VSTE Coach Certification is derived from Forward Edge’s Coaches Camp. Coaches Camp, along with a broader mentorship program, has undergone a rigorous evaluation process by ISTE and has earned the ISTE Seal of Alignment for Coaching Standards. The full report can be assessed here.
All coaches who complete the VCC program will:
- Have a clear understanding of their role as a coach.
- Think systematically about the role their coaching program plays in larger district goals and initiatives.
- Be prepared to incorporate formal coaching cycles into their coaching program.
- Create and market professional learning experiences founded in andragogical best practices that are personalized, memorable, and lead to classroom implementation.
- Possess a strong skill set for building relationships and deepening coaching conversations with educators.
- Utilize data to make informed decisions about their work as a coach and the needs of educators they support.
- Approach technology integration from a learning objective first mindset.
Frequently Asked Questions
The training is applicable to all coaches. Although participants will learn strategies for integrating technology and using specific tools to support their roles, that is not the primary focus. In addition to ITRTs and ITCs, the VSTE Certified Coach alumni group includes instructional coaches, math coaches/specialists, literacy coaches/specialists, classroom teachers, and administrators. There is a set day and time for the synchronous Learning Experiences. Forward Edge does their best to incorporate cohort members' schedules and may ask for participants' input as to when the meetings occur. If a participant misses any of the Learning Experiences, they always have the option to watch the recording. The four Meet-Ups must be attended live (virtually), but they are shorter and participants may miss one without consequences. Participants are welcome to participate even if their job status changes. In the event that this happens, please reach out to vcc@vste.org with your updated contact information so that you will not miss any communications. We ask for a supervisor's signature for two main reasons: 1. To make sure your supervisor is in agreement with you participating in the training during some contract hours; and 2. To ensure payment. If you find yourself in this situation, we recommend considering the following questions: Do you think that your new supervisor will allow you to participate in the program? Will there be funding to cover the enrollment fee? If you are unsure or not able to confirm with your new supervisor, we recommend deferring your registration. If you feel confident and can secure alternate funding if needed, you are welcome to register and use your current supervisor's signature. Please reach out to us at vcc@vste.org! Representatives from VSTE and Forward Edge are more than willing to partner with supervisors in an effort to answer questions and provide guidance on the suitability of the program for various roles.
Is the VSTE Certified Coaching (VCC) program only for instructional technology coaches?
How are the meeting structures organized?
If I’m taking a leave of absence or gap year, can I pay myself and still participate?
What if I'm changing jobs, or my supervisor changes?
What should I do if my supervisor has reservations about signing the agreement?
The VCC Application Details
Registration for 2025-26 cohorts are now OPEN through December 20th! Before applying, make sure you are a VSTE member (it's free!). Then, use the following link to apply:
Interested coaches will need to determine which cohort they wish to register for based on their experience and availability. There are three VCC cohort options for each VCC Application: spring semester, fall semester, and full year. The spring semester cohorts will run from January through May and will meet twice each month. The fall semester cohorts will run from August through December and will meet twice each month. The full year cohorts will run from August or September through May and will meet once every month. Newer coaches are recommended to register for the full year cohorts in order to allow more time between learning experience to grow their practice, but all applicants can indicate their preference within the registration form.
Interested coaches will need to fully understand the expectations of the VCC program and must obtain approval from a direct supervisor. There will be meeting times that will occur during regular working hours, and there is an expectation that participating coaches will commit to the meeting times and participate during those sessions. In order for candidates to be successful, supervisors will need to be supportive of a coach’s participation and made aware that there is a cost of $350 per participant associated with the VCC program.
All applicants are notified directly of their acceptance. The first meeting of each cohort will be announced in advance, and subsequent meeting times will be determined by a cohort poll. Arrangements for the payment of $350 must be made prior to the first cohort meeting. Divisions interested in hosting a division-wide cohort should contact the VSTE Certified Coaching Coordinator at VCC@vste.org.
Already a VCC?
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Changing districts? Need to update your contact information?
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Questions / Contact
Katie Breaud
VCC Program Coordinator
vcc@vste.org
