As you likely already know, a successful coaching program needs more than just coaches. There are enabling conditions at the organizational level that are required for a coaching program to be successful.
In this clip from a previous episode, Ellen and Bruce Eisenberg highlight the importance of developing a school culture that supports a growth mindset and a coaching culture.
This is a huge part of the Thrive Model for Sustainable Instructional Coaching in Phase 2: Implement Consistently. If we don’t have the systems and structures to enable teachers to opt-in to coaching and we aren’t ensuring that coaches are focused on coaching work, it will be very challenging to build a coaching culture.
All schools need the three elements of the Thrive Model for coaching to be successful and sustainable But, most schools are missing at least one!
Is your school missing consistency?
Watch this episode to find out!
And if you want to learn more about the Thrive Model, access all of our resources at edurolearning.com/thrive.
An instructional coaching program needs more than “just” hiring coaches
Sometimes we think we can just hire coaches and a coaching culture will emerge, but it takes much more than that. We need to be intentional about creating the environment for growth, as well as building structures and systems for support so that all stakeholders have time to engage in coaching.
This work is more than what coaches can do on their own, and in many cases involves a whole-school culture change. If this sounds like something you’re experiencing in your school setting, you’re going to love this clip!
(And if this is something you’re working towards in your school setting, we can help – stay tuned to the end of the episode to learn more).
When schools are looking to build a robust instructional coaching program that is sustainable needs the following enabling conditions:
1: Shared Vision & Purpose
How did they come to think that instructional coaching was something they wanted to do? What is it they think they know? This requires effective transparent conversations about the rationale behind the program. Everyone on the leadership team needs to have a shared vision. This vision needs to be communicated throughout the school. The program needs to be clearly rolled out in the very beginning to everyone, and in the mid-year as a reflective piece, and at the end of the year (to share progress on achieving goals). These conversations should focus instructional coaching models (not about the coach specifically)
2: School Culture
The school must be a trusting environment, where it is safe to take risks and there is a desire to change. The shared vision, goals and expectations must be clear among all stakeholders.
School leaders needs to understand how adult learning is different from adolescent learning. There needs to be a clear understand of what constitutes effective professional growth (ie: a list of goals is not professional learning).
3: Clearly Defined Roles
The role of the coach must be clearly defined, and communicated across the school. This often requires collaboration across teams. Coaches must be non-evaluative. An administrator who states that being evaluative is the administrators job, not the coaches job goes a long way. No confusion.
4: Teacher Agency
In order for coaching to be sustainable over time, teachers need voice, choice, equity and praxis. Coaching is messy and coaches have to be vulnerable, teachers have to be vulnerable.
5: Coaching Program Development
The program requires deliberate planning and development, as well as evaluation over time.
6: Training for coaches
Coaches need annual opportunities for professional learning for their own professional growth. They need the support of a coach themselves.
Instructional coaches are learners just like everyone else. We’re all in it together, we’re all practitioners. Coaches may know more about adult learning, while the teacher knows about their subject area. Together we’re working, together we’re learning. I don’t know all the answers, but I can give you great questions.
Watch the Clip
If you liked this clip, make sure to check out the full length episode from season 5!
This conversation is a great reminder that building a coaching program is more than just having coaching conversations. As coaches we need to know how to coach, but we also need to know how to build a coaching program and culture.
If you’re ready to think about your coaching practice and program from this big picture lens, and you’re recognizing that your informal leadership as an instructional coach can support you in building a coaching culture, you are ready to learn with us in our next global cohort of Coaches as Leaders!
Coaches as Leaders is designed for experienced coaches ready to advocate for and build the systems and structures that are needed to truly sustain a coaching culture. When you start shifting your mindset from seeing yourself as “just a coach” to seeing yourself as a leader, can begin create and advocate for the systems and structures that make coaching sustainable – for you as an individual coach and for your coaching program in your school.
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.
Registration opens only once a year!
Get all the details at edurolearning.com/cal
Don’t forget that advocating for the systems and structures that make coaching sustainable is part of your role as an instructional coach – whether it’s your first year in the job or your tenth! This is why we include coaching advocacy in all of our courses for coaches – at the depth that’s just right for your experience level.
So, if you’re not sure if Coaches as Leaders is the right course is right for you, watch one of our free workshops for instructional coaches, designed for your experience level so you can take the next step in your learning right now – and uncover how you can continue to advocate for coaching in your role right now!
Workshops for Instructional Coaches
Uncover which course is right for you with one of our FREE workshops.
We have workshops (and courses) to support coaches at every stage of their career: from educators curious about coaching, to new and aspiring coaches making the move from classroom to coach; to current coaches ready to be more intentional and strategic in their practice; to established coaches leveraging their coaching experience to lead.
You can them all on our coachbetter website at coachbetter.tv/workshops
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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