NDNU Brings Video Coaching to Teacher Preparation (via EdTech Innovation Hub)
A recent feature from EdTech Innovation Hub covers how Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) is integrating video-based coaching into its teacher preparation programs through a partnership with Edthena and the Center for Reaching & Teaching the Whole Child.
The initiative introduces Edthena’s VC3 video coaching platform across NDNU’s teacher prep programs. Teacher candidates record classroom teaching, share the video with supervisors, and work through structured feedback and reflection cycles. The partnership is designed to strengthen supervision and coaching while aligning with the Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) set by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Key takeaways from the article:
- Video coaching creates richer feedback conversations. Kelly Vaughn, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Education at NDNU, said the platform changes how faculty, supervisors, cooperating teachers, and candidates engage in debriefs. “The platform helps us analyze and reflect on teacher candidates’ recorded videos that demonstrate their teaching practice, creating richer opportunities for growth,” she said. NDNU is currently running an exploratory pilot guided by the Edthena team.
- The program aligns with California’s credentialing standards. Vaughn noted that VC3 supports tighter alignment with the TPEs set by the CTC. “We are already beginning to see these positive impacts in our exploratory pilot, guided by the Edthena team and supported by our committed faculty and staff,” she said. University Supervisor Kate Maselli Zimman added that the platform is “a space where goals, video, and evidence come together intentionally.”
- A research partner is shaping the coaching design. The Center for Reaching & Teaching the Whole Child is serving as a research and implementation partner, helping NDNU design coaching practices that incorporate video tools while keeping social, emotional, and cultural dimensions of teaching at the center. Dr. Halley Maza, Director of Learning Innovation and Research at the Center, said, “We believe technology should deepen human connection, not replace it.” The Center’s Anchor Competencies Framework will guide how NDNU integrates reflective practice and coaching into the program.
- The partnership reflects a broader shift in teacher preparation. More teacher prep programs are combining video observation, coaching cycles, and digital tools to support candidate development. For NDNU, the goal is to give aspiring teachers the opportunity to build social, emotional, and cultural competencies through structured, video-based reflection before they enter the classroom full-time.
Read the full article, “Notre Dame de Namur University rolls out video coaching for teacher candidates with Edthena”.
To learn how VC3 supports video-based coaching and observation in teacher preparation, visit the VC3 page.
