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Coaching the Coach: A Digital Autoethnography of Generative AI in Teacher and Leadership Preparation

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Title: Coaching the Coach: A Digital Autoethnography of Generative AI in Teacher and Leadership Preparation
Language: English
Authors: Christopher Dignam (ORCID 0009-0007-3185-4825), Amy L. Kelly (ORCID 0009-0002-2972-8655), Candace M. Smith (ORCID 0009-0006-2545-6479)
Source: International Journal of Technology in Education. 2026 9(2):303-325.
Availability: International Society for Technology, Education, and Science. ISTES Organization, Monument, CO 80132. e-mail: istesorganization@gmail.com; e-mail: ijteoffice@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.ijte.net/index.php/ijte/about
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Early Childhood Education
Descriptors: Artificial Intelligence, Coaching (Performance), Teacher Education Programs, Preservice Teachers, Instructional Leadership, Principals, Higher Education, Technology Uses in Education, Public Colleges, Administrator Education, Graduate Students, Undergraduate Students, College Faculty, Reflection, Early Childhood Education, Lesson Plans, Writing Research, Educational Improvement
ISSN: 2689-2758
Abstract: The study examines how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) functioned as a coaching partner in three education preparation courses for future teachers and educational leaders. The courses included early childhood lesson planning, research writing in teacher preparation, and school improvement planning in educational leadership. A digital autoethnographic design guided the work, relying on student reflections, AI transcripts, and faculty reflections to understand how coaching interactions shaped thinking across programs. The design enabled instructors to examine their own positionalities while interpreting the digital records of student reasoning. Students reported gains in clarity, confidence, and alignment as they revised their work with AI supports. Several students noted that reflective questioning encouraged them to explain their decisions and refine their instructional or leadership plans. Others expressed caution when AI suggestions did not match their intentions or preferred frameworks. Faculty observed that the transcripts revealed misunderstandings and areas of growth that were not visible in traditional assignments. Recommendations for educator preparation emphasize the value of introducing AI coaching after students create their own drafts, requiring documentation of prompts, modeling reflective questioning, and preserving student agency. The study offers guidance for programs seeking to integrate GenAI as a reflective partner while supporting ethical engagement and professional judgment across the licensure spectrum.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506421
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Coaching the Coach: A Digital Autoethnography of Generative AI in Teacher and Leadership Preparation
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Christopher+Dignam%22">Christopher Dignam</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3185-4825">0009-0007-3185-4825</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amy+L%2E+Kelly%22">Amy L. Kelly</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2972-8655">0009-0002-2972-8655</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Candace+M%2E+Smith%22">Candace M. Smith</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2545-6479">0009-0006-2545-6479</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Technology+in+Education%22"><i>International Journal of Technology in Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 9(2):303-325.
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  Data: International Society for Technology, Education, and Science. ISTES Organization, Monument, CO 80132. e-mail: istesorganization@gmail.com; e-mail: ijteoffice@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.ijte.net/index.php/ijte/about
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  Data: The study examines how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) functioned as a coaching partner in three education preparation courses for future teachers and educational leaders. The courses included early childhood lesson planning, research writing in teacher preparation, and school improvement planning in educational leadership. A digital autoethnographic design guided the work, relying on student reflections, AI transcripts, and faculty reflections to understand how coaching interactions shaped thinking across programs. The design enabled instructors to examine their own positionalities while interpreting the digital records of student reasoning. Students reported gains in clarity, confidence, and alignment as they revised their work with AI supports. Several students noted that reflective questioning encouraged them to explain their decisions and refine their instructional or leadership plans. Others expressed caution when AI suggestions did not match their intentions or preferred frameworks. Faculty observed that the transcripts revealed misunderstandings and areas of growth that were not visible in traditional assignments. Recommendations for educator preparation emphasize the value of introducing AI coaching after students create their own drafts, requiring documentation of prompts, modeling reflective questioning, and preserving student agency. The study offers guidance for programs seeking to integrate GenAI as a reflective partner while supporting ethical engagement and professional judgment across the licensure spectrum.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 23
        StartPage: 303
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Artificial Intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Coaching (Performance)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Education Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Preservice Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Leadership
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Principals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Technology Uses in Education
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      – SubjectFull: Public Colleges
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      – SubjectFull: Administrator Education
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      – SubjectFull: Graduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: College Faculty
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      – SubjectFull: Reflection
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      – SubjectFull: Early Childhood Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Lesson Plans
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Writing Research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Improvement
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Coaching the Coach: A Digital Autoethnography of Generative AI in Teacher and Leadership Preparation
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