How to Support Your Students as Their Learning Coach

August 6, 2025 byJulie Hersum

4 min to read

Supporting Your Student with Subjects You Don’t Know

Being a Learning Coach is a meaningful role and one that evolves over time. If it’s a new role for you, know that you are not expected to teach every subject or know all the answers. Unlike homeschooling, Learning Coaches learn how to support a student’s educational journey with their teacher by helping them stay organized, motivated, and connected to resources that can guide their success.

There is a myth that Learning Coaches must also be experts—or at least knowledgeable—in every subject to help their student succeed when they learn from home, especially if they begin to struggle. So, how are you supposed to help your student find success in online school?

Let us tell you how!

Setting the Foundation for Success in Online School

1. Create an Effective Learning Environment

Your job as a Learning Coach begins even before that first day of online school. Learning Coaches should first help their student create a learning space that helps them focus, feel comfortable, and stay motivated. It doesn’t need to be a large area; a quiet, clutter-free spot with reliable internet, good lighting, and the necessary supplies is all you need.

2. Establish Consistent Routines and Schedules

Structure is key in a flexible, virtual learning environment found in online school. Learning Coaches can help give their students structure in their learning day by setting regular wake-up times, designating daily school hours, and scheduling breaks. Use a calendar or planner to map out assignments and post the schedule somewhere visible and accessible for both you and the student.

3. Balance Structure with Flexibility

While routines are important, one of the biggest benefits of online school is flexibility. If your student learns better at a different time of day or needs to take a break before tackling a challenging subject, adapt their schedule to fit their needs while ensuring they are completing all their work.

4. Discuss Options With Your Student’s Online School Teachers

Certified online teachers are trained to teach across a range of learning styles and academic levels. They deliver lessons, lead interactive LiveLesson™ sessions, grade assignments, provide one-on-one support, get to know your child’s personal learning style, and care about their academic development.

As the Learning Coach, you’re a key part of your student’s academic support team. You’re often the first to notice if your student is falling behind, learning ahead of grade level, or needs additional accommodations. At these times, don’t hesitate to reach out to teachers to discuss a strategy for your student. Even if they’re older and can advocate for themselves with their teachers directly, staying involved in your child’s education can help lead discussions about finding tutors, enrolling in credit recovery programs, or pursuing opportunities in career and college readiness.

5. Contact Your Student’s School Counselor

If your student seems overwhelmed, discouraged, or anxious, their school counselor can help. Counselors support student well-being and can offer tips for helping your student manage academic struggles, adjust course schedules, and keep on track for graduation.

6. Connect With Others

Remember, your student isn’t alone, and neither are you. Use your school’s directory or online community to connect with other families. Help your student form a study group with classmates or reach out to other Learning Coaches who’ve supported students through the same subject. Shared experiences can go a long way toward building a reliable network of support.

A Learning Coach helping a student learning an unfamiliar subject

Helping Students Through Every Subject

It’s common for students and Learning Coaches to be challenged by certain subjects. But the good news is, online schools like Connections Academy are designed to support families through every subject, no matter your own level of expertise.

Being a Learning Coach means helping your student navigate challenges—not solving every problem yourself. Keep in mind the actions that matter most. These include:

Build strong relationships with your student’s teachers.
Encourage your student to ask for help early and often.
Monitor their progress to catch potential struggles before they snowball.
Create structure while staying open to adjustments.
Use available tools and resources to better understand how to support your student.

When families and schools work together, students thrive—no matter the subject.

Curious about how you can take a more active role in your child’s education? Learn how an online Connections Academy-supported school can empower you and your student to succeed—together.