Educational Coaching Network
The Educational Coaching Network (ECN) connects educators who want to learn, collaborate, and problem-solve to improve their Instructional Coaching programs and practices. Northern Illinois University’s Educational Coaching Network, a part of the Illinois P-20 Network, offers various intensive and one-day trainings from internationally known experts and local leaders to build skills, extend learning, and develop expertise.
ECN’s commitment to instructional coaching is rooted in knowing that student achievement can be positively impacted by implementing research-based practices. ECN is fully committed to the highest quality professional learning experiences for educators and privileged to support the success of program participants. We are honored to work with teachers, coaches, school and district leaders, department chairs, and administrators from public school districts, charter schools, and private schools. Our participants are both local to Illinois as well as from other states. This diversity enriches the learning experience for everyone.
ECN Conference 2026 – Jim Knight
Using AI: Best Practices and Tools for Instructional Coaches
We are thrilled to welcome back Jim Knight to ECN for our annual conference on the hot topic of artificial intelligence (AI). In this engaging and forward-looking keynote, participants will discover how artificial intelligence can elevate the practice of instructional and peer coaching—without losing the essential human connection at its core.
Student-Centered Coaching Series – 2025-2026 – Diane Sweeney
For the 2025-2026 school year, ECN is very excited to be collaborating with Diane Sweeney to offer a full series of workshops. With opportunities to move through the levels of learning about student-centered coaching to implementing coaching cycles to refining instruction through effective coaching, this series offers opportunities for teachers, coaches, and administrators as well as for educators to participate in the entire series or to attend specific workshops.
Workshop pricing
- $265 per workshop
- For groups of 2 or more: $235 per workshop
- Full series of workshops: $1449
- Full series of workshops for groups of 2 or more: $1410
Level 1: Foundations for Student-Centered Coaching – DeKalb, Illinois
November 17 with coaches and administrators – 9 AM to 3 PM
November 18 with coaches – 9 AM to 2.30 PM
This session is perfect for educators who are new to Student-Centered Coaching and would like to learn how using this framework for instructional coaching shifts the focus from ‘fixing’ teachers to collaborating with them to design instruction that targets student outcomes. In this session, Diane Sweeney will introduce the guiding principles and core practices for Student-Centered Coaching. At the end of the session, participants will be encouraged to try out the practices and tools that were shared throughout the two days.
While we welcome administrators to attend both days, the content on day one is specifically geared toward helping build an understanding of their role in leading the coaching effort at the school or district level. We therefore encourage them to attend day one with their coach(s) if at all possible.
Suggested criteria for Level 1
- All are welcome
- Sessions are geared toward K-12 instructional coaches, literacy coaches, math coaches, technology coaches, MLL coaches, etc.
- Administrators can include building principals, assistant principals, deans, district leaders, etc.
Level 2: Foundations for Student-Centered Coaching – Naperville, Illinois
February 24 with coaches and administrators – 8.30 AM to 3.30 PM
February 25 with coaches – 8.30 AM to 3.30 PM
In this session, we will take the conversation deeper by examining the practices for measuring the impact of coaching cycles. Participants will learn strategies for documenting their work and celebrating successes throughout the school community. At the end of the session, those in attendance will be encouraged to go back and try out some of the practices and tools that will be shared throughout the two days.
While we welcome administrators to attend both days, the content on day one is specifically geared toward helping them understand the importance of measuring the impact of coaching cycles in order to ensure that coaching is making the desired impact on both teacher and student learning. We therefore encourage them to attend day one with their coach(s) if at all possible.
Suggested criteria for Level 2
- All are welcome. However, it is recommended that participants have attended Level 1 or have received support from Diane Sweeney Consulting. Such as; onsite consulting, online courses, or other sessions led by her or her team.
- Sessions are geared toward K-12 instructional coaches, literacy coaches, math coaches, technology coaches, MLL coaches, etc.
- Administrators can include building principals, assistant principals, deans, district leaders, etc.
Level 3: Reflecting on the Impact of Coaching at the Schoolwide Level – Naperville, Illinois
April 14 with coaches and administrators – 8.30 AM to 3.30 PM
April 15 with coaches – 8.30 AM to 3.30 PM
As we progress through our learning, we will begin to reflect on the impact that Student-Centered Coaching is having on teaching and learning at the school and district level. This session will be anchored by artifacts that will be collected and shared by participants. Throughout the session, Diane Sweeney will meet with participants in school or district teams to provide feedback related to the work that is taking place.
The artifacts that participants will bring will have been introduced in earlier sessions and will ensure that participants will walk away with a clear understanding of where they are with their coaching and where to go next. While we welcome administrators to attend both days, the content on day one is specifically geared toward hearing their perspectives and goals for the work. We therefore encourage them to attend day one with their coach(s) if at all possible.
Suggested criteria for Level 3
- This session will build on the learning from previous sessions. Therefore, we ask that participants have attended Level 1 and 2, or have received support from Diane Sweeney Consulting. Such as; onsite consulting, online courses, or other sessions led by her or her team.
- Are willing to bring a collection of artifacts to analyze, reflect on, and share. This will include the following:
- Coaching logs that are being tried out by coaches
- A completed, or in progress, Results-Based Coaching Tool
- Other evidence that coaches have collected such as; teacher perception data, student growth data, teacher engagement data, etc.
- Sessions are geared toward K-12 instructional coaches, literacy coaches, math coaches, technology coaches, MLL coaches, etc.
- Administrators can include building principals, assistant principals, deans, district leaders, etc.
ECN Meet-Ups – Free and Online
Following last year’s successful ECN Coaching Conversations, this year, Alison Gordon and Sharon Sheehan, ECN Co-Coordinators, are coming back with free, online ECN Meet-Ups. These ECN Meet-Ups provide coaches the opportunity to share successes, ask questions of one another related to their current challenges, and to network with one another! Register for free below, and Alison and Sharon will follow-up with the Zoom link for each session!
| ECN Meet-Up – Date and Time | Registration Link |
| Wednesday, December 10, 2025 – 1 PM | Register for free |
| Tuesday, January 13, 2026 – 11 AM | Register for free |
| Thursday, February 12, 2026 – 12 PM | Register for free |
Connect with the Educational Coaching Network
For more information about the Educational Coaching Network, contact us at p20network@niu.edu.