SP Coaching

Coaching in Canada

What is SP Coaching?

Across Canada, educators face growing complexity. Improving learning, supporting wellbeing, and preparing students for a connected world requires more than new programs. It requires better ways of learning together.

SP Coaching partners with schools and systems to build coaching-focused professional learning that strengthens both teaching and leadership. As a licensed provider of the Instructional Coaching Group, we bring Jim Knight’s research-based work to Canadian contexts in practical, sustainable ways.

We believe better conversations lead to better learning. By combining instructional and leadership coaching, we help schools build cultures that support meaningful, lasting growth so every learner can thrive.

Course Offerings

Exploring the Seven Success Factors of Instructional Coaching

Learn the essential factors that make instructional coaching effective and how to implement them for real impact.

Better Conversations

Develop the communication skills needed to build trust, foster dialogue, and lead meaningful, growth-focused conversations.

The Impact Cycle

Master a simple, powerful coaching framework that helps teachers set goals, learn strategies, and improve practice.

System Support: What Administrators Need to Know about Coaching

Understand how to create the conditions, structures, and support systems that allow coaching to thrive in your school.

Introduction to Leadership Coaching

Explore how coaching principles can strengthen leadership, improve decision-making, and support adult learning.

Managing Challenging Conversations

Gain practical tools to navigate difficult conversations with clarity, confidence, and respect.

Get In Contact with Sonja

Email: sonja@spcoachingineducation.com

Phone number: 647 525 3871

Toronto, Canada

Why Coaching Matters in Schools

For students to grow, the adults who support them must grow. Coaching is one of the most effective ways to make that happen.

When done well, coaching helps teachers refine their practice, leaders strengthen their impact, and students experience stronger learning and wellbeing.

Our approach brings together two key drivers of improvement:

Instructional Coaching strengthens teaching by helping educators set goals, apply strategies, and monitor progress to improve student outcomes.
Leadership Coaching supports leaders to think clearly, act with confidence, and create the conditions for high-quality teaching and learning.

Together, they build a culture of continuous growth. Coaching also strengthens trust, collaboration, and professional dialogue across a school.

When schools invest in coaching, they invest in their people and in the success of every student.

What Our Partners Are Saying

"The impact of our Better Conversations learning with Sonja will extend beyond our work conversations. We are still talking about what we learned."

Denise, Mathematics Consultant

"Working with Sonja helped us to understand how the Partnership Principles can serve us with Instructional Coaching, but also beyond as the principles serve as…

George Singfield, Director General, Western Québec School Board

"I used to think coaching was mainly about giving advice, but now I think its real power lies in building partnerships that empower teachers to…

Lorne, Director of Middle & Senior School - Miss. Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School

“The most valuable takeaway from my session with Sonja is recognizing how coaching can transform not only the way you lead yourself and others, but…

Matt, Teacher and Instructional Coach at Pontiac High School

"The impact of our Better Conversations learning with Sonja will extend beyond our work conversations. We are still talking about what we learned."

Denise, Mathematics Consultant

"Working with Sonja helped us to understand how the Partnership Principles can serve us with Instructional Coaching, but also beyond as the principles serve as a model for collaboration. Learning more about the power of video as a reflective and learning tool was especially powerful for our team. Sonja made it clear that coaching is not an add-on, but rather a key foundational piece of the work that a principal or director general for that matter is engaged in."

George Singfield, Director General, Western Québec School Board

"I used to think coaching was mainly about giving advice, but now I think its real power lies in building partnerships that empower teachers to reflect, experiment, and grow. The opportunity to work with Sonja helped our team develop a shared understanding of instructional coaching and how collaborative dialogue can strengthen teaching practice and build professional trust. Through our time together we were encouraged to think more intentionally about how coaching can support teacher growth while keeping student learning at the center of every conversation."

Lorne, Director of Middle & Senior School - Miss. Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School

“The most valuable takeaway from my session with Sonja is recognizing how coaching can transform not only the way you lead yourself and others, but also how it can strengthen the culture within a school. When used effectively, coaching helps build strong, team-focused partnerships, all with the ultimate goal of supporting student well-being and academic growth.”

Matt, Teacher and Instructional Coach at Pontiac High School

A Word from Jim Knight

“I’m pleased to share that The Instructional Coaching Group is expanding into Canada through a partnership with SP Coaching, led by Sonja Pullen.

This partnership has personal meaning for me. The foundations of our work were formed when I was living in Toronto and studying at the University of Toronto. During that time, many of the ideas that later became central to our approach to instructional coaching began to take shape. For years, I have wanted to build a strong partnership in Canada so these ideas could be shared more widely with Canadian educators.

Sonja is an excellent partner for this work. She is certified through the European Mentoring and Coaching Council, and she brings a deep commitment to helping students succeed. She approaches coaching in a way that respects teachers as professionals and values collaboration. Her work reflects the same beliefs that guide ours about student success and professional partnership.

As someone who grew up in Canada, I have always cared about contributing to Canadian schools. I am grateful that this next phase of our work will take place in collaboration with Sonja. Through this partnership, instructional coaching will become more accessible to schools across Canada, and I look forward to the positive impact it will have for educators and students.”