The DG's Coaching and Mentoring Institute

This February, The team is looking forward to welcoming you to an in-person Coaching and Mentoring Institute in Las Vegas! This new two-day institute is designed for coaches, mentors, and instructional leaders who support teacher growth and development. The Institute focuses on the mindsets and skills needed to deliver impactful feedback and sustain meaningful professional learning. Participants will strengthen their capacity to bring out the best in teachers through reflective practice, collaborative inquiry, and growth-focused coaching. They will deepen their understanding of The Danielson Group’sas a professional learning tool and learn strategies for building trust, empathy, and psychological safety within coaching and mentoring relationships.

More Institute details below:

February 19, 2025 | 9am—3:30 pm PDT

Day 1 builds a foundational understanding of how The Danielson Group’s supports coaching and mentoring for growth. Participants will explore the beliefs, dispositions, and conditions that create trust-based, learning-focused coaching relationships. Through discussion and practice, they will strengthen their ability to use reflective practice, curiosity, and empathy to promote adult learning and professional dialogue that drives improvement.

Topics include:

• Understanding the three key spheres of influence: Reflective Practice, Collaborative Inquiry, and Instructional Coaching
• Building conditions that support trust, psychological safety, and open communication
• Shifting from evaluation to coaching: language, stance, and mindset
• Applying Danielson Group Coaching Dispositions (Maintain Trust, Lead with Curiosity, Believe in Progress, Learn Side-by-Side)
• Collecting low-inference evidence aligned to FFT components and Elements of Success
• Using the Framework to promote inquiry-based, growth-centered feedback

February 20, 2025 | 9am—3 pm PDT

Day 2 builds on foundational knowledge to deepen participants’ coaching and observation skills. Using as a guide, participants will learn how to design growth-focused observation cycles, deliver meaningful feedback, and co-create sustainable professional goals that enhance instructional practice and student learning.

Topics include:

• Implementing the DG Coaching Cycle: planning, observation, reflection, and feedback
• Practicing feedback using the Praise–Probe–Push protocol
• Using lesson artifacts and evidence to support reflection and planning
• Aligning observations to Levels of Performance and Elements of Success
• Goal setting and reflection strategies that promote continuous growth
• Developing a culture of professional inquiry and collective efficacy

(Breakfast & registration is from 8:15 - 9am PDT and there is a midday break for lunch. Please note that laptops are MANDATORY! There will be limited printed materials available.)

Our team is looking forward to working with you and your team this February! Lee Kappes, Ed.D., Brian Johnson, and Jennifer Barnes of the Danielson Group will be the Institute's training facilitators:

Chief Executive Officer

Lee’s career in education cuts across practice and policy at all levels of the education sector. In her 18 years as a classroom teacher, Lee lived out her belief that all students deserve highly-effective teachers. She went on to serve as a union president, staff developer, school leader, coach, and mentor, culminating in a position as a senior academic leader in an urban school district.

Not one to turn away from a complex problem, Lee facilitated a cross-grade level committee of teacher leaders and central office staff to redesign the district’s assessment program for grades K-2 from a grade-based approach to a student-centered, artifact-based portfolio system.

Lee holds a BS in Elementary and Special Education from College Misericordia, MA in Educational Technology from Long Island University, Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy from Seton Hall University.

Director of Learning Design and Development

A lifetime advocate for education, Brian brings his passion to work every day. His career began with 11 years as a teacher in New York City classrooms, and he continues to stay connected with past students and teachers to provide resources and support.

During his time teaching, he was selected for several prestigious teaching awards and accolades. Brian was a semi-finalist for the U.S. Department of Education Classroom Teaching Ambassador Fellowship. He won the Sontag Prize in Urban Education where he studied pedagogy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and taught at-risk students in Boston.

Brian holds a BA in Marketing from University of Kentucky, MST in Adolescent Education from Pace University and an advanced certification in Special Education from St. Rose College.

Assistant Director of Learning Experiences

Jennifer Barnes has served educators and school systems for over 16 years as a professional learning manager, director of school support, director of elementary education, network instructional coach, and classroom teacher. Most recently, she designed professional learning for instructional coaches at Evanston/Skokie School District 65 to develop instructional coaching practices and enhance student outcomes. During her tenure at The Achievement Network (ANet), she provided instructional leadership coaching to Chicago Public School District school leaders, guiding them through change management processes and designing high-impact professional development experiences.

As an Assistant Director of Learning Experiences with the DG, Jennifer drives the creation and delivery of innovative learning solutions tailored to the needs of schools and districts.

Outside of her professional role, Jennifer is passionate about social entrepreneurship, having launched a coffee shop with her husband that serves as a vibrant gathering place in their neighborhood. She holds a Master of Public Administration from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri Saint Louis.

Participate in these sessions will earn how to implement collaborative observation cycles, inquiry cycles, and structures for team learning that can put professional development back where it belongs – in the hands of teachers. Save your spot and register today!

Attendance requires payment by credit card or the receipt of a purchase order* no later than one week before the event.

The Danielson Group reserves the right to cancel or modify the event. In the unlikely event of a cancellation or postponement, you may receive a refund or a credit toward future Danielson Group Institutes, as you prefer. The Danielson Group is not responsible for expenses you may incur for a cancelled or postponed event. Refunds must be claimed or credits applied within the 12 month period following the date of payment.

*If you wish to pay by purchase order, please reach out to Rena Joseph at [email protected]

If you are unable to attend, you must contact us by email. If you require additional information or have issue with the registration process, please email [email protected]

By purchasing a ticket and participating in this institute, you give the Danielson Group permission to make and use photographs, video, and/or audio recordings of me for marketing and advertising purposes in any media, print or electronic. Photographs, recordings, images, and quotes for any and all purposes of the Danielson Group, its affiliated institutions, entities, and partners including use in any media may be used without re-submission to me for approval. Third parties accessing the web page may download this material and release the Danielson Group, its affiliated institutions, entities, and partners from any liability to me, my heirs, or assigns in connection with or arising out of such downloading by third parties.

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