The Impact Cycle

The Impact Cycle is Jim Knight's signature professional development workshop, delivered by the Instructional Coaching Group (ICG) and designed to equip instructional coaches with a research-validated framework for driving meaningful improvements in teaching practice. Built on more than two decades of research at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning, the Impact Cycle provides a clear, repeatable process that transforms coaching conversations from well-intentioned check-ins into powerful catalysts for instructional change. The workshop walks participants through the three stages of the Impact Cycle — Identify, Learn, and Improve — giving coaches a structured approach for partnering with teachers to set meaningful goals, explore high-impact teaching strategies, and monitor progress through concrete data. Central to the model are Jim Knight's Partnership Principles, which position coaches as collaborative equals rather than evaluators, creating the psychological safety teachers need to take genuine risks in their practice. Participants engage with real coaching scenarios, practise applying the framework, and leave with tools they can implement immediately in their schools. This in-person workshop is facilitated by ICG consultants who are the only individuals trained and certified by Jim Knight to deliver training on the Impact Cycle model. Whether you're a new instructional coach building foundational skills or an experienced coach looking to deepen your impact, this workshop provides the research-grounded methodology and practical tools needed to foster lasting improvements in teaching and learning across your school or district.