Instructional coaches face unique challenges: supporting new teachers, improving student engagement, and making data-driven decisions across multiple classrooms and grade levels. They need tools that empower teachers, enhance their skills, and simplify their work.  

This is where Nearpod stands out. As an interactive learning platform, it has become a go-to resource for instructional coaches nationwide. From building teacher confidence to streamlining professional development, coaches rely on Nearpod to support their mission—empowering educators and improving student outcomes.

How Nearpod Transforms Teacher Support and Student Engagement

Effective instructional coaching requires tools that make an immediate impact while fostering long-term growth. Nearpod meets these needs with ready-to-use lessons, interactive media, formative assessments, and actionable data insights that help coaches and teachers collaborate more effectively. 

Supporting new teachers with confidence-building tools

New teachers often face challenges with regard to student engagement and classroom management. Instructional coaches need resources that help them build confidence and develop essential teaching skills.

Nearpod simplifies this process with an intuitive platform that transforms traditional lessons into interactive experiences. Features such as real-time polls and virtual field trips engage students while helping new teachers feel successful from day one. 

Aggie Salter, an instructional coach in Madison, WI, incorporates Nearpod into her new teacher training. She recalls coaching a teacher who was using traditional PowerPoint slides to create a lesson; after they redesigned the lesson in Nearpod, student engagement improved dramatically. “Nearpod is always part of our new teacher training. It’s easy to use, incredibly effective, and helps them feel successful right away.”

New to Nearpod? Teachers can sign up for free below to access and create interactive lessons. Administrators can schedule a call with an expert to unlock the full power of Nearpod for schools and districts!

5 Ways Instructional Coaches Use Nearpod to Transform Teaching

1. Help teachers boost student engagement

Instructional coaches play a critical role in helping teachers create engaging learning environments. Nearpod’s interactive features, such as Time to Climb, provide coaches with tools to support teachers in transforming lessons into dynamic, student-centered experiences. These tools not only captivate students but also give teachers real-time feedback on comprehension, enabling coaches to guide them in refining their engagement strategies. 

For example, middle school students, often the toughest to engage, respond enthusiastically to Time to Climb, making it a go-to resource to help teachers boost classroom participation.

2. Provide lesson resources for teachers 

Instructional coaches need to ensure teachers have access to curriculum-aligned content without overwhelming them with preparation. Nearpod’s library of standards-aligned resources helps coaches quickly locate lessons tied to specific standards, saving teachers time while ensuring high-quality instruction. Additionally, educators can upload their existing resources, such as slide presentations and worksheets, to Nearpodize them into an interactive lesson or activity.  

Coaches can use these ready-made resources to guide teachers in unit planning, intervention strategies, or differentiated instruction, providing a consistent framework across subjects and grade levels. Consider organizing these lessons into your School or District libraries on Nearpod for teachers to access.

3. Use data to drive conversations 

Instructional coaching is most effective when it’s informed by actionable insights. Nearpod provides real-time data that helps instructional coaches identify classroom trends and common misconceptions. These insights enable coaches to have conversations with teachers in order to help them refine their instructional strategies and address areas where students may need additional support. This data-driven approach ensures that instruction is responsive and aligned with student needs. 

Aggie Salter uses Nearpod reports to guide these conversations, noting, “Nearpod lessons are already aligned to standards, so it’s easy to act on what we see.” This data-driven approach helps instructional coaches support individual teachers while addressing broader school goals.

4. Help teachers design interactive lessons 

Instructional coaches often guide teachers in moving from traditional, lecture-based instruction to interactive learning experiences. Nearpod’s tools, such as Draw It, Collaborate Board, and VR field trips, make this shift seamless. During training sessions, coaches can model these features, showing teachers how to spark creativity, boost engagement, and give every student a voice. 

For instance, using the Draw It feature, coaches can inspire teachers to design activities such as creative brainstorming, visual storytelling, or themed projects. Aggie used Draw It for a Mother’s Day card activity, giving kindergarten students a fun, meaningful way to express themselves. By introducing these techniques, instructional coaches equip teachers to build lessons that actively involve students and make learning more memorable.

5. Introduce virtual field trips to enrich lessons 

Virtual reality (VR) field trips are an effective way for instructional coaches to help teachers bring lessons to life. Nearpod’s library of virtual field trips offers immersive experiences—from historical sites to cultural landmarks—that expand student learning without logistical challenges. 

Aggie recalls guiding teachers to use virtual field trips for music lessons, such as exploring Mozart’s house while learning about his life. By introducing this feature, instructional coaches give teachers a powerful way to captivate students and deepen their understanding of complex topics.

Empowering educators for long-term success 

Instructional coaches choose Nearpod because it directly supports their mission: empowering teachers to create engaging, effective learning experiences. Its combination of ready-made content, interactive features, and real-time insights equips coaches to provide meaningful, ongoing support. 

As Aggie Salter highlights, “Some programs start strong but fizzle out. Nearpod keeps growing—and listening. It’s one of the few tools that truly supports teachers while staying focused on student learning.” For instructional coaches committed to sustainable change, Nearpod’s reliability makes all the difference.

New to Nearpod? Teachers can sign up for free below to access and create interactive lessons. Administrators can schedule a call with an expert to unlock the full power of Nearpod for schools and districts!

Vitoria Mendes Rogers

Vitoria Rogers is a Customer Marketing Specialist at Nearpod. She is passionate about sharing inspiring stories of how educators, schools, and districts drive student growth through innovative classroom strategies, impactful interventions, and creative uses of Renaissance products and solutions.

Have a great success story, tip, or best practice to share? She’d love to hear it! Please reach out to [email protected]