We want to give you a peek inside our Coach Certificate & Mentorship Program. Coaches taking part in this academic-year-long journey have graciously given us permission to post some of their learning and reflections from the private coursework they are undertaking during this program. Where possible, we have shared the course and the action task to give context for the guest post.

The Topic: Working with Adults & Teams

The Task: In collaboration with a teaching partner, have a post-observation coaching conversation.

In an earlier post I had shared my experience with my coachee regarding the observation session. She had never been truly interested in me doing an observation, I suggested a selective student scripting session, she agreed. The session was not at all what I was expecting and I did the best I could with scripting student language but ultimately this was not a genuine interest of the teacher. When we met to reflect on the observation it wasn’t very fruitful because of the misalignment. I learned to be more careful about pushing my ideas ahead of the teacher’s ideas. I could have developed some open ended questions to help her draw out what would have been a more effective use of our time and to support her goal for the student learning. The coachee focused on some new understandings her students came to. I think the questions I asked in the reflection session gave her the time, space, and the audience to make that meaning for herself.

In looking at better ways of working together in the future, I think working more closely with aligning with school priorities may be more effective in the teacher feeling like I’m helping take something off her plate rather than adding more. Our work together was in addition to the core curriculum being carried out. Moving forward we can find authentic and meaningful connections for her goal to support the core curriculum instead of running parallel.

How did your advance planning support the coaching process?

Creating an agenda for the coaching meeting allows me to be purposeful and deliberate in my focus and questions. It also allows for clear communication for the coachee as well as a place to review and see notes from previous meetings. The collaborative notes can elevate any stress from the coachee about the kind of notes that are being taken.

Was there anything you would do differently next time?

Next time I would do less for the teacher in terms of creating the tech tools that were used in the classroom. We discussed the learning that the tech was facilitating; however I created all the Padlets and the teacher Padlet dashboard. Being that this was my first coaching cycle framed in the teacher helping me out by participating. I felt I couldn’t ask her to do more work. In the future I will be ready to support the teacher in creating the learning experiences rather than doing it for them.

Is there anything you want to make sure you do every time you collaborate with another teacher in this kind of setting?

I would like to be clearer about the role that I’m stepping in and out of during the coaching cycle. I first need to be aware of when I’m changing from consultant to coaching and visa versa. Then being able to articulate that to my coachee. Analyzing the situation to know when to use the different stances will come with practice and time. I think this will help everyone be more clear and help me be in the coaching role more often, allowing the coachee to have more agency, rather than jumping in as the consultant and taking away the opportunity for the coachee to find their own answers.

Read more from The Coach participants as they share their learning from the certificate & mentorship program…

Ashley: Measuring Your Impact as an Instructional Coach

Tracy: My Coaching Philosophy

Nicola: Taking a Targeted Risk as an Instructional Coach

Kelly: Focus on Equity

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Level Up Your Coaching with The Coach!

If you are ready to dive deep into your coaching practice, to help you #coachbetter and build a thriving coaching culture in your school, please join us for our next cohort of The Coach!

Wherever you are in building a coaching culture in your school, The Coach will give you the strategies, skills and tools you need to make coaching a success and will empower you to confidently apply instructional coaching strategies in any situation – from building a coaching program, to having coaching conversations, to being a leader in your school community. We facilitate only one cohort each academic year so we can offer individualized support for each participant.

Coaches of all levels are welcome: you’ll start the program with a self-assessment to determine exactly what the next steps are for you!