This #coachbetter episode is another in our series of coaching case studies, with one of Kim’s amazing clients, Ana Cristina Lopez. Ana Cristina is a highly experienced educator (currently a HS & AP Spanish Teacher at Daegu International School in South Korea). At the time of recording, she had just graduated from The Coach Certificate and Mentorship Program, right after completing Getting Started as an Instructional Coach the year before.

These case study episodes are designed to share the story of a coach, and the development of their coaching program and practice in their unique setting.

We are excited to share this episode with Ana Cristina with you because Ana Cristina has done an amazing job developing her coaching skills and putting them into practice right away – in her current role as a Spanish Teacher.

In today’s episode Kim and Ana Cristina talk about…

Why coaching is so valuable to her – as a classroom teacher
What surprised her when she first started learning about coaching
What she thinks classroom teachers need to know about coaching to opt-in
How she’s been implementing her learning in her current role
What she’s doing next to prepare for the move into a coaching role

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Ana Cristina @

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Show Notes

Please tell us about your journey as an educator

I am Venezuelan, my degree is in Modern Languages: Italian, Spanish & English. Started working at the university level; then moved to another city in Venezuela and started to work in international schools. Worked there for 20 years. Eventually wanted to grow professionally, and got hired by Degu International School in SK. Have been here for 7 years as HS & AP Spanish teacher. In the last years I’ve been exploring other paths, which is why I started investigating instructional coaching.

From your perspective as an educator, what makes coaching so valuable? Do you have a story about being coached that you might be able to share?

It’s tailored PD that takes in account your needs your goals, offers you the opportunity to look at or discover your strengths and look at the areas you need to improve and go through a path where you have a perspective from your fellow coach. It’s very important for all teachers.

What made you curious about coaching? How did you decide to start exploring the role more deeply?

I’ve been looking for opportunities to grow for several years. A few years ago I was talking to a friend, and I said I feel like I have a lot to offer, but I don’t really want to be a principal, and she was the one who suggested instructional coaching. When I started doing research, I found Eduro; and at my school they know about Eduro and gave good references.

How did you decide that coaching is for you?

I saw in the content of the course, a lot of things that motivated me; and then the idea of listening to people and working with another person to accompany this person in a growth process, in an exploration process, I liked that.

The idea of collaborating and contributing to the growth of the teachers, and the growth of students really appealed to me. I love teaching, and I saw that and it really convinced me that I could continue in training and learning.

Once you started learning about coaching, what surprised you? What did you expect?

Everything about coaching was new for me. The fact that it was individualized personalized PD. I didn’t know that there was so much research on instructional coaching. It is such a broad and well researched discipline. I had the idea that coaching was mentoring, so I was really surprised that it’s not what defines coaching.

The idea of contributing to improving teacher capacity was surprising for me. I had never thought about coaching like that. I have worked with a coach before, and I was expecting solutions and now I understand why this person gave me assignments and asked me questions. The solution needs to come from within me.

What do you wish classroom teachers knew about coaching to help them make the choice to opt-in?

First, that coaching is confidential. That the coach is not approaching you as an expert. The relationship of the coach coachee relationship is not top down. The coach is coming to you, respecting your knowledge, your experience, you as a person, not to judge you. You have a companion that is going to walk the path with you.

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!

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Show Notes continued…

How have you been building your coaching skills this year? What are some of your key learnings from The Coach?

I learned so much, apart from the theoretical knowledge that I’ve gained. When I was able to conduct a coaching cycle with Tony, the Chinese teacher. That was really important because it was practice. That process was one of the most enriching experiences within The Coach because I saw myself as a coach, and really looking at the challenges of planning coaching conversations; asking the right questions; avoiding being judgemental.

Everything was important, but that experience was most valuable.

I feel more confident for the next time I have the opportunity to participate in a coaching cycle. I’m familiar with the feeling of being in front of a person. Now I understand the importance of the pre- and post- conversation, and how there are unexpected situations.

Don’t expect perfection or experts

Now that you know so much more about coaching, what are you thinking about as you hope to apply for a coaching position in the future?

In my current school, I’m waiting for my final schedule to see if there are opportunities for me to start having some hours to practice as a coach, to offer coaching. I’m teaming up with the other coach in my school. I need to speak formally with admin, about the idea of having a coaching position. I’m going to stay attentive to coaching PD opportunities. Maybe in two years, I might consider recruiting for coaching positions. I’m not ready yet to be only a coach. I would like to have a smooth transition, and the ideal would be to be a teacher and a coach. I don’t want to stay in the theory I want to practice.

What’s one thing you wish you knew before you started this journey?

I came to this experience with no previous knowledge. I am very satisfied with all the things I learned. I don’t miss anything. I am happy with the experience.

What’s one thing you would recommend all new coaches do to be successful in their role?

At the beginning have a script with questions, and practice. Listen attentively, being mindful of what you’re thinking. Avoid being judgemental. A script is important, you might feel overwhelmed, so it’s good to create your own script and try to imagine what things you’re going to say, and listen and flow with the process.

How did the Coach prepare you to be ready to make this move to coaching?

All the material we were given in the course was very powerful and really practical. There are so many options to reflection. All the information and research is there for you to refer to. All the theory, all the research, the courses are very complete. And then the opportunity to put into practice everything you have learned, I feel that I could go through al lthe important steps in order to feel prepared. You nee dot look for opportunities to put into practice. When I was reading the material, I felt wow, it’s good to know that I have this because I know I will go back to this when I find myself in a similar situation. The material is complete, up to data, easy to read, very practical.

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CASE STUDY: Growing as an Educator Through Instructional Coaching with Getting Started and The Coach Graduate, Ana Cristina Lopez [301]