What effect can just one person have on a school? Apple Learning Coach transforms a coaching educator into a catalyst that ignites empathy, community and a culture of collaboration. “When they coach a teacher, we know that trickles down to the students and has an impact on the learning that’s happening in that classroom”, says Morgan Cave, the Director of Instructional Technology at Richardson ISD in Texas. Since its launch, Apple Learning Coach – a professional learning programme available to educators and leaders – has certified thousands of coaches in over a dozen countries who are inspiring innovation far beyond their immediate reach. The programme is designed and curated with educators and students in mind.

Coaches who complete the certi-fi-cation programme learn how to use technology to support pedagogy in the classroom. They aren’t just learning how to use technology more effectively – they’re being introduced to new ideas, building trust and connecting with their peers. Ana Lilia Gómez Iniesta, General Academic Coordinator from Colegio Cristóbal Colón in Mexico City, says, “There’s a worldwide community, not just in Mexico, and not just learning from people here, but learning from people all over the world.” When coaches lead with empathy in supporting educators and learners, they ignite a powerful impact that transforms classrooms and uplifts entire?communities.

“How do you build sustainability of a culture in your school that allows an initiative to continue once your leadership team moves on?” asks Matthew Wright, deputy headteacher at Floreat Park Primary in Perth, Australia. “You have to build capacity within your staff to be able to support, coach, influence and hold each other accountable.” In the programme, coaches learn skills that cultivate school culture from the inside out, creating an environment where helping others is the norm. “You create a real culture in the school of people helping each other,” says John McGhee, headteacher at St Andrew’s Secondary in Glasgow,?Scotland.

With a rigorous curriculum that goes beyond ticking the box on professional learning requirements, the programme strengthens skills and confidence in using Apple technology. 86% of Apple Learning Coaches reported an increase in their confidence when coaching teachers, and 9.1 out of 10 said that they were able to evolve their coaching strategies as a result of their participation in the programme. Anna Gruber, the?Vice-Rector of Teaching and Digitisation at the University of Teacher Education in Upper Austria points out, “I believe it’s very important that colleagues acquire new skills, not just in the digital aspect, but also coaching skills, in order to truly be able to work as multipliers in?schools.”

When coaches have the right tools and support, teachers are better set up to help their students succeed. “The ultimate goal is for the benefit to reach our children,” says Moktar Wahid, Deputy Director of the Educational Resources and Technology Division at the Ministry of Education in Malaysia. The best solutions are the ones that start with people. When you invest in educators, you invest in communities. “It can have a massive ripple effect,” says Chris Mier, the Digital Development Officer for Glasgow City Council in Scotland.

And it all starts with?one.