One of the biggest challenges that my clients face is realizing when their line manager or Principal doesn’t truly understand the role of an instructional coach.
This comes up when they are consistently asked to…
- be the 5th chaperone on every trip,
- to constantly do sub cover, to supervise all the exams, or to
- have more duties than any other teacher.
That’s why we’re sharing this highlight from one of my favorite episodes from a previous season. If you’re a longtime #coachbetter listener, you know that Joellen Killion is my instructional coaching superhero, and her episode from a few seasons ago was a masterclass in all things instructional coaching.
As Joellen says in the full episode:
“If coaches are doing non-coaching work, then the benefit of coaching is lost, but the cost remains.”
Joellen Killion
We know how important it is for coaches to be focused on coaching – but actually having that conversation with your line manager or divisional principal can be really challenging.
If this is a challenge you’re facing, I know you’re going to find Joellen’s advice really helpful.
And if you want to make sure coaching is sustainable in your school setting, you’ll love our new workshop for experienced coaches, Scaling Your Impact as an Instructional Coach. You can find it at edurolearning.com/scale
What’s YOUR level of coaching mastery?
All coaches go through various stages of coaching mastery. Once you identify where you’re at, you can begin to build the skills needed to move to the next stage.
This quiz is based on real-life case studies compiled from years of working with coaches inside The Coach Certificate & Mentorship Program!
When you receive your results, you’ll also get your matching case study from the STRIVE Case Studies to see where you fit in the stages of coaching mastery.
Ready to tackle your challenges and move on to the next level in YOUR coaching practice?
The STRIVE Model of Coaching Mastery quiz will help you identify your level of coaching mastery by matching you with case studies compiled from years of working with coaches inside The Coach Certificate & Mentorship Program so you can easily see where you fit!
When you complete the quiz, you’ll get:
- Your matching case study,
- Specific strengths & challenges aligned to your result;
- Suggested next steps for each stage;
Plus the Case Study Document includes:
- Case studies leveled by coaching mastery;
- A framework to identify essential stages of professional growth & key areas to focus on in your professional learning;
- Alignment with the THRIVE Model for a Successful Coaching Culture;
- Space for you to reflect & prioritize so you can take action immediately!
You’ll go straight to the Quiz, and get the Case Study Document via email.
Joellen says…
It’s hard for coaches to have these conversations, yet they must. Otherwise they’re just being pulled like puppets on strings. They know in their heart they’re not doing what is going to make a difference in teaching quality or student learning.
Here are three approaches that you might find helpful in your setting:
“I’d love to have a conversation with you about your vision for the work I do as a coach, I’d love to share my vision, and for us to put that side by side and negotiate what it can be and what it should be in this school, and then set expectations for my work”
“In order for coaching to have it’s greatest impact in this school, what do you want it to look like? In order to do my work well, I need some parameters. Let’s put some parameters around my role (percentage of time in major categories of work; do I work with ALL teachers or just some, which would you prefer).”
“In order for me to give my attention to what’s the priority, I need to know what I can come to do with, the support you can give to me, and the message you’ll share with the staff about my role in the school.”
Watch the Video
Ready to start advocating for your role?
Being an advocate for instructional coaching – even at the whole school or systemic level is often a big leap, even for experienced coaches. Realizing that your understanding of your role does not align with your line manager is devastating. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost!
This episode is a starting point in helping you begin to navigate this complex conversation – but we have more for you!
My brand new workshop, Scaling Your Impact as an Instructional Coach digs into the specific systems and structures that need to be in place for instructional coaching to be sustainable – including advocating for your role with your senior leadership team.
You can find it at edurolearning.com/scale
This workshop will also give you a preview of our online course for experienced coaches, Coaches as Leaders. So, if you’re an experienced instructional coach, and you’re ready to start thinking about these big picture, systemic structures so you can make your coaching program more sustainable, watch the workshop at edurolearning.com/scale (and then join us in the global cohort of Coaches as Leaders!)
And, if you discover that you need support as you go through the process, join us for our first global cohort of Coaches as Leaders – designed for experienced coaches ready to advocate for and build the systems and structures that are needed to truly sustain a coaching culture.
In Coaches as Leaders we’ll help you recognize exactly which systems and structures you need (and might be missing in your school setting) so you can make your coaching culture sustainable – for you as an individual coach & for your school.
Registration opens only once a year!
Get all the details at edurolearning.com/cal
Wherever you are in your coaching journey, we can support you!
If you’re curious right now, you have questions, please reach out. You can leave a comment below, join our #coachbetter Facebook group, or find us on social media at Eduro Learning and send me a DM. I’d love to support you on your coaching journey. See you next time!
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