Date of Award
12-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Education Systems Improvement Science
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Roy Jones
Committee Member
Dr. Reginald Wilkerson
Committee Member
Dr. Angela Carter
Committee Member
Dr. Kristen Duncan
Abstract
This research study examined virtual coaching as a vehicle for principal professional development. The study focused on coaching a principal in a rural, low-performing, high-poverty South Carolina school district to improve support for teachers and students. This study explored virtual coaching and is rooted in improvement science as measured by plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles (Bryk et al., 2017). It explored how virtual coaching supported a rural principal’s professional development needs.
Principals must be transformational leaders who balance their support needs and accountability while meeting the needs of the diverse stakeholders they serve. Ongoing professional development is an essential component in helping school leaders cultivate an extensive skill set to improve student and school outcomes. This study focused on how to meet rural principals' professional development needs.
Rural principals ma face time constraints and budget challenges, and often lack human capital. Virtual coaching can help principals in isolated regions meet their individual professional growth needs. This study utilized a virtual coaching process with a rural principal to improve self-efficacy and build capacity to support school improvement.
Recommended Citation
Charles, Tygere Alisha West, "Virtual Coaching: Ushering In a New Era in School Improvement" (2025). All Dissertations. 4171.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/4171