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: Phase 1: Find Clarity

The Task: Share your artifact and a written reflection on your learning during this phase.

There are so many ‘aha ‘ moments during Phase 1 ; Finding Clarity however ones that stand out are…

* Having clarity about what my school’s vision and definition is for coaching and how this is first and foremost when developing  a coaching culture and community

* Knowing and understanding what coaching CAN be and how it can look quite different for example in Joellen Killion’s tool sheet: Instructional coach, Mentor, Curriculum Specialist, Change Specialist to name a few. 

* Being able to refer to the coaching cycle and how this offers a clear and predictable structure

* Remembering to have a deep practise of listening and paraphrasing

* Being overwhelmed by my first coaching conversation with my Coachee and being grateful to share challenges with my mentor and global cohort

Did you face any obstacles during this phase of the program? How did you overcome them?

I realized I needed to just ‘take action’ to put myself out there to advocate for coaching and send out an invitation for someone who might be interested in having a coach. Having a sense of humour seems apparent as in this role, one needs to be consistent, advocate and be courageous especially when many colleagues do not seem open to trying to work with a coach…. as yet.  

For my artifact I had drafted a few ideas but they seemed to be falling flat. After referring back to the examples that were shared from past cohorts, I decided to try creating an Infographic using CANVA (my first time) that explains what coaching is and some benefits of the process. There are so many different components in my head that I wanted to include and the Infographic seemed to be the best option to include an array of what I wanted to communicate. 

I kept reminding myself what I might like to see and hear in regards to the language used, that is,  if someone else was trying to invite me to be coached. When thinking about the ‘wording’ I was hoping to remove the fear or negativity that educators may have around the idea of coaching and instead offer more of a gentle approach that conveyed reassurance, warmth and  joy that could be experienced as part of a coaching process.

How has this artifact moved you closer to clarity in your coaching role or program?

Creating this artifact helped me to realize how mindful I wish to be when inviting colleagues. Mindful of language that is clear and succinct but also non-threatening. With teachers being so busy and if I do have a moment to chat or connect,  it feels important to be sensitive and thoughtful with how I offer the invitation. 

Initially I had included a quote in the Infographic from Laura Lipton about coaching but then I thought I would try and create one of my own; always a work in progress. 

Where are you at in terms of clarity in your coaching role or program right now?

What are the next steps you need to take to further increase clarity in your coaching role or program?

After experiencing my first conversation with my Coachee, it has been wonderful to refer to the coaching model. During our next weekly meeting, I look forward to sharing a picture of this so we both know what we are working through and towards. Next steps will be to ask my Coachee if I can come and visit her classroom so we can make connections to the goal that she shared with me during our first conversation.

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

Andrea: Creating a Definition of Coaching

Alexsandra: Creating a Coaching Vision Statement

Tine: Inside the Coach: Coaching Culture Visual

Nicola: Coaching Year Plan

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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!